Blood bath at Eerste River High School: 2 learners stabbed, parents demand answers as schools become killing fields

Eerste River, Western Cape – A recent and deeply concerning incident at Eerste River Secondary School has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the escalating issue of violence within the Western Cape's educational institutions. Two learners were rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing incident that unfolded during a school assembly on Thursday, 12 February 2026. This event, barely a month into the new academic year, underscores a pervasive problem that continues to disrupt learning environments and endanger the lives of students and staff alike.

The altercation, which involved a Grade 9 and a Grade 12 learner, reportedly occurred during the morning assembly, a time usually reserved for reflection and administrative announcements. Details remain under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest the two students allegedly stabbed each other in full view of their peers. Both were immediately transported to a medical facility, where their conditions were described as serious. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) have confirmed the incident, initiating both criminal and disciplinary proceedings.

Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a police spokesperson, provided initial details: “Kleinvlei police are currently on the scene of a stabbing incident at a secondary school in Beverley Street, Eerste River. Preliminary reports suggest that two learners stabbed each other and were taken to a medical facility for treatment where their conditions are serious. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm cases were registered for investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.”

Bronagh Hammond, Director of Communications for the WCED, reiterated the department's stance on the matter. She confirmed that the school would be instituting disciplinary action against the learners involved. “Initial reports indicate that this morning, during the school assembly, a Grade 9 and a Grade 12 learner got into an altercation and allegedly stabbed each other,” Hammond stated. “The two learners have been sent to a medical facility for medical attention. SAPS have been informed and the school will institute disciplinary procedures. There is no further information at this stage.”

This incident at Eerste River Secondary is not an isolated occurrence but rather a symptom of a much larger crisis gripping schools across the Western Cape. Data released by the WCED in September 2025 revealed a staggering 454 incidents of assault on school property involving learners between January and July 2025 alone. These incidents ranged from minor altercations like pushing and shoving to serious assaults involving weapons.

The National Professional Teacher’s Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) has painted an even grimmer picture, reporting that since January 2025, a distressing 563 children have fallen victim to violence within school contexts. This alarming statistic highlights the severe impact on student attendance and overall well-being, with gangsterism frequently cited as a primary driver of this pervasive violence.

Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for MEC for Education, David Maynier, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, confirming that assaults on school grounds in the Western Cape frequently involve the use of weapons in physical altercations. The presence of weapons in schools is a particularly worrying trend, indicating a breakdown in safety measures and an increased risk of severe injury or fatality.

Gang violence, in particular, has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the unsafe conditions in many Western Cape schools. Riedwaan Ahmed, Provincial Chief Executive Officer for NAPTOSA, emphasised how gang-related activities are infiltrating educational spaces. He noted that schools in gang hotspot areas, including Eerste River, Lavender Hill, Manenberg, and Mitchells Plain, have become increasingly perilous zones. Learners and education staff in these areas are frequently traumatised by shootings, stabbings, and ongoing gang activities.

Ahmed articulated NAPTOSA's deep concern, stating: “Gang violence, school fights perpetrated in our schools are more than stripping our schools from increased absenteeism; victimisation of teaching staff and trauma, it is stripping learners of their constitutional right to quality education and the learners’ and education staffs’ right to safety.” He further highlighted that this violence often extends to attacks on teachers, necessitating trauma counselling and psychosocial support from the WCED.

The broader context of school violence in the region includes several other harrowing incidents. In Mitchell’s Plain, a Grade 10 learner at AZ Berman High School allegedly stabbed three children with a screwdriver following an argument in late 2025. Similarly, in June 2025, a Grade 10 learner from Cravenby Combined School narrowly survived after being stabbed in the chest by a fellow student. These cases demonstrate a pattern of extreme violence that has become tragically common.

Beyond student-on-student violence, the safety of educators is also under severe threat. In June 2025, the WCED revealed that at least 50 incidents of learners assaulting teachers had been reported since the beginning of that year. In one particularly chilling incident, an educator was reportedly held at gunpoint. This environment of fear and intimidation has a profound impact on the morale of teaching staff and the overall quality of education.

In response to the escalating crisis, the WCED has implemented various interventions aimed at curbing violence. These include investments in securing school premises, violence prevention programmes, and providing support after traumatic incidents. The department is also integrated into the Provincial Joints Committee for School Safety, collaborating with SAPS, law enforcement, other government departments, and non-governmental organisations to address safety concerns comprehensively.

Furthermore, Peter Johnson, MPP and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education, reported that 82 School Resource Officers (SROs) have been deployed across 41 area-based teams and hotspot schools. This initiative aims to enhance safety and mitigate incidents within these vulnerable educational environments.

The Eerste River Secondary stabbing serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued and intensified efforts to safeguard schools. The psychological and physical toll on learners and educators is immense, threatening the very foundation of education in these communities. As investigations continue into the recent incident, the broader challenge of creating truly safe and conducive learning environments remains a critical priority for authorities and communities across the Western Cape.

Summary of Reported School Violence Incidents (Jan – July 2025)

The table above illustrates the scale of the challenge facing the Western Cape Education Department. The high number of children affected by violence, coupled with the increasing frequency of assaults on staff, paints a picture of a system under immense pressure. The integration of gang-related activities into the school environment further complicates efforts to maintain order and safety.

As the community of Eerste River grapples with the aftermath of this latest stabbing, the call for more robust safety measures and community-led interventions grows louder. The future of the province's youth depends on the ability of the state and society to reclaim schools as safe havens for learning and development.

Follow Us on Twitter