Three learners and the principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort were injured on Monday, 18 August 2025, after a violent fight with learners from West Ridge High School in Johannesburg’s West Rand.
Hoërskool Roodepoort clash leaves principal and learners injured
The incident left the principal with stab wounds on her hand and three learners hospitalised.
According to a statement from the Gauteng Education Department, the confrontation was part of an ongoing feud between learners from the two schools. The violence is believed to have been a revenge attack linked to an earlier fight on Friday, 15 August 2025, which went viral on social media.
On Monday, at around 10:00 SAST, a group of learners from West Ridge High allegedly went to Hoërskool Roodepoort in what officials described as a “planned revenge attack.”
They attacked learners and threw stones at parked cars.
While trying to stop the fight, the school principal was stabbed in the hand. She was rushed to a medical facility and has since been discharged after receiving treatment.
Three Hoërskool Roodepoort learners also sustained injuries and remain under medical care.
The Education Department confirmed that six Grade 12 boys from West Ridge High School have been identified and will receive suspension letters on Tuesday, 19 August 2025.
The suspensions will last seven days, after which the learners must appear before a disciplinary committee.
Spokesperson Steve Mabona explained that more suspensions could follow once investigators finish verifying the evidence.
He also confirmed that both schools will receive support from psycho-social teams, including counselling for learners and wellness support for staff.
MEC condemns violence in schools
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, strongly condemned the violence. He said it was unacceptable for learners to turn schools into battlegrounds and stressed that educators and learners must feel safe in educational environments.
“It is completely unacceptable that such violence has spilled into our schools, where the safety of both learners and educators has now been compromised,” Chiloane said.
“It is even more disturbing that a principal, in her efforts to protect learners, was harmed in the process. We will not allow violence and intimidation to take root in our schools.”
To improve safety, the department has asked the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Roodepoort to provide additional support to both schools, including unannounced search-and-seizure operations to remove dangerous items from school grounds.
Authorities are monitoring both schools closely. The suspended learners face disciplinary action that could lead to further sanctions depending on the outcome of hearings. The department has also promised continued support to ensure safety and restore calm.