Cape Flats Learner Stabs 3 Fellow Pupils, South Africans Shaken

• A violent incident at a school in the Cape Flats in the Western Cape rocked the community and left netizens reeling
• A learner reportedly attacked a group of his fellow learners in a high school as an argument turned violent
• The South African Police Service confirmed the incident to Briefly News, and South Africans bemoaned the violence in the Cape Flats
• A resident of Mitchell's Plain explained to Briefly News how the gangs were infiltrating schools

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

MITCHELLS PLAIN, WESTERN CAPE — The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after three learners were stabbed at a high school in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town on 10 September 2025.

SAPS told Briefly News that the police responded to a stabbing incident at the school where three learners were attacked. An argument ensued between the three victims and the suspect. The argument turned violent when the suspect allegedly stabbed the victims with a screwdriver. The suspect was not arrested, and the victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, where they were treated.

Stabbing incidents at schools in 2025

Learners from a school in Tshwane East received counselling after a Grade 11 learner was stabbed to death on 17 June 2025. The incident happened outside Lesedi Secondary School. The victim was boarding a school transport when the suspect, who was from a different school, stabbed him three times, killing him.

The Hoerskool Roodepoort principal was stabbed on 18 August 2025 while attempting to break up a fight. A learner from the school got into a fight with a learner from West Ridge High School. The principal arrived on the scene. Six learners were suspended for the incident.

A Grade 9 learner was stabbed at the Enkwenkwezini Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape on 21 August 2025. Two learners attacked the victim and stabbed him with scissors. The school staff intervened, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated for his wounds.

Mitchell's Plain resident concerned about gangs infiltrating schools

A resident of the area, who spoke to Briefly News under the conditions of anonymity, detailed how gangs were trying to infiltrate schools.

The resident reported an incident in which two girls pretended to be learners at a school. When they were discovered, they said they were bunking from their own school and had come to visit friends. The resident explained that some gang members posed as learners in an attempt to hand over drugs to sell to the learners.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook were shaken by the incident.

Zaahier Cassiem said:

"I can't help but think that this is an act of defence against bullies."

Cheslyn Brink said:

"Only God can make a difference now, because the government is useless."

Biancha Lee said:

"My son was stabbed in school last year. No arrests, no expulsion, no justice. The Department of Education and districts cover up evidence and criminal activities in schools."

Felicity-Ann Wyngaard said:

"Our Cape Town is really in a bad state. Nowhere are we safe."

Claudine Lottering said:

"Yoh, the devil is really destroying our kids."

Mpumalanga shooting leaves 2 people dead and a police constable injured in KwaMhlanga, SA concerned

Meanwhile, a shooting in KwaMhlanga, in the Nkangala district of Mpumalanga, left two people dead and another person injured.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, which left one constable, while another was taken to the hospital. South Africans weighed in on the fatal shooting, expressing concern that police officers were the victims.

Durban learners stabbed during altercation

In a related article, Briefly News reported that three learners were stabbed at a school in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 February 2025. The incident happened at Centenary Secondary School in Asherville.

Violence broke out at the school over an alleged racial incident. The incident escalated into violence, and the three learners were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News