Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade will visit Ntabankulu Primary School on Monday, 26 January 2026, following a deadly shooting in which three female educators were killed.
The shooting occurred on 22 January 2026 when the school’s former Deputy Principal unlawfully entered the premises, opened fire in the staff room, and later turned the gun on himself. The Department of Education confirmed that one teacher died on the scene, while two others died later in hospital.
Gade will lead a delegation to the school and the bereaved families to offer condolences and trauma support.
What Happened
The former Deputy Principal entered the school during teaching hours and opened fire on staff members gathered in the staff room.
- One educator died at the scene
- Two later died in hospital
- The gunman died by suicide on school premises
The department confirmed the perpetrator had been recently dismissed after a disciplinary process related to sexual misconduct allegations involving learners. He was also facing charges in the Mthatha Regional Court and had been served with a court interdict by the school following threats and incidents of intimidation.
Official Response
The Eastern Cape Department of Education condemned the violence and expressed condolences to the families and school community.
In a media statement, MEC Gade said:
“The department condemns this act of violence in the strongest terms and reiterates its commitment to schools as safe spaces of learning, care, and safety.”
Wellness Services have been activated to provide psycho-social support and trauma counselling for affected learners, educators, and families. These services will be coordinated with the Department of Social Development.
Community Impact
All learners and staff were safely released from school on the day of the incident with the help of SAPS. No additional injuries were reported.
Support teams have been deployed to Ntabankulu Primary and the surrounding community to provide:
- Grief and trauma counselling
- Emotional support for learners and educators
- Referrals for additional mental health care if needed
The department has encouraged families to seek help and engage with counselling services.
What Happens Next
- MEC Fundile Gade and senior officials will visit the school and bereaved families on 26 January 2026
- Trauma counselling is now available for learners, educators, and families
Further security or disciplinary reviews have not yet been confirmed
