Five pupils and a parent arrested for violently disrupting classes at Tsakane Secondary School
Five pupils and a parent have been arrested for violently disrupting classes on Thursday at the Tsakane Secondary School in Ekhurhuleni.
Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said the arrests come after a series of troubling incidents where the learners have been allegedly terrorising the school community, among others bullying, intimidation, threatening fellow learners and educators.
“It is alleged that the perpetrators recently pelted stones during Grade 12 camps, damaging newly replaced school doors, setting fire in toilets.
“On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the perpetrators threatened educators and learners with knives; blocked them from moving through passages and extorted them for money and phones during schooling hours,” said Mabona.
Mabona added that one of the arrested learners had been suspended for assaulting a girl learner with a chair, but he continued to return to the school forcefully, disregarding the disciplinary process.
“Educators have since expressed fear for their safety, with some unable to return to class due to intimidation.”
On Thursday, Mabona said the pupils allegedly disrupted the Grade 12 preliminary examinations.
“Educators and learners were traumatised by this incident. Sadly, the arrested parent, who is one of the perpetrators is alleged to have played a role in encouraging and supporting this disruptive behaviour from learners, further worsening tensions within the school environment,” said Mabona.
“The GDE strongly condemns these acts of criminality and violence which undermine the safe schooling environment that all learners and educators deserve. Schools must remain centres of learning and not spaces of fear or lawlessness. The swift action by police should serve as a deterrent to others who are planning to disrupt our schools,” he said.
He added that the psychosocial support will visit the school to provide necessary support to affected learners while employee wellness will focus on educators.
Meanwhile, MEC Matome Chiloane said the department remains committed to protecting the right to education and ensuring that teaching and learning continues without disruption in school around Gauteng.
“We will not allow our schools to be turned into spaces of violence and intimidation. Every learner has a right to quality education, and every teacher has a right to a safe working environment. We commend police for taking decisive action and assure the community of Tsakane that order will be restored,” he said.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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