A Grade 6 learner from Primrose Primary School in Germiston is in police custody after he allegedly shot and injured the school’s principal this morning.

The 51-year-old principal was taken to a local hospital where he is reportedly recovering.

According to police on the scene, the circumstances that led to the shooting are unknown.

“At this stage, we have launched an investigation to also establish the origin of the firearm seized by the police. The teenager is expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of attempted murder,” said Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.

The Germiston City News reported that the gun used in the shooting allegedly belongs to the learner’s parent.

In a statement, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said earlier this morning the principal saw learners sitting in the foyer and instructed them to take out workbooks to study.

The department says the learner in question, mumbled something in response to the principal but he ignored him.

Gauteng Education Spokesperson Steve Mabona explains the reported circumstances of the incident at Primrose Hill Primary School in Germiston, East of Johannesburg.

This is where a 13-year-old pupil allegedly shot his principal this morning. #PrimrosePrimary pic.twitter.com/0284sVteoQ

— Nkosi Malinga-Mnisi (@MnisiNkosikhona) February 16, 2024

He saw the learner again later near the staff room, which is when he was shot.

Germiston City News spoke to some parents waiting outside the school. They all expressed concern and told the newspaper that they had not received any communication regarding the incident which happened at 08.45.

“We are shocked and worried; how could this have happened? These are little children, and we do not expect them to be carrying guns to school. We hope we can get clarity on what happened.

“Maybe the school will beef up security and check learners’ school bags,” said one parent.

A police officer, who works closely with the school, said the incident comes as a shock as police have never received any complaints about bad behaviour by the school’s learners.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane pleaded with parents to discipline their children.

“We are taken aback by the nature of this incident and how it occurred, and we discourage such acts of misconduct at our schools. We will be invoking necessary disciplinary action against the learner, while also monitoring the principal’s condition to ensure that he returns to full health. Our plea is for parents to not refrain from instilling discipline in their children,” said MEC Chiloane.

The GDE’s Psycho-Social Support Unit will visit the school on Monday.