The Gauteng Department of Education has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify safety precautions across all school zones.

This follows the horrific shooting of a parent outside Newclare Primary School on Tuesday, 24 July

It is alleged that the parent was waiting to pick up his son, when unknown suspects shot him.

Detailing the ordeal, police spokesperson Warrant Officer Jerbes de Bruin said: the victim went to fetch his son from school, when a group of unknown men approached the vehicle and shot him. Community members managed to drive the victim to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

De Bruin said that the police were investigating the matter and that they since have launched a man hunt for the suspects.

Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona said that they were shocked by the shooting. We are quite saddened about the event because one of our pupils has lost their parent. The Grade 5 learner who is the child of the deceased, is too traumatised, said Mabona.

As part of a safety precaution and feedback session, the Department has since visited the school in effort to offer support and counselling services to learners.

Mabona said there was a need for more police visibility across communities, to curb the scourge of violence. These things normally happen outside the school environment. The only thing that we did is provide counselling services but our security team are in fact interacting with the police to make sure that learners are always safe when they go home.

So, it is a matter of police visibility and it is beyond us. We cannot separate a school from the community. Therefore, it is difficult for us to be hands on when it comes to security in the community, added Mabona.

Source: Gauteng Province