Roodepoort Principal Stabbed While Stopping Fight, SA Concerned About Lack of Discipline in Schools

• The principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort was stabbed while attempting to stop an altercation at the school
• Learners from two schools were involved in a violent altercation, which left three of them in the hospital
• South Africans weighed in on the incident, lamenting the lack of discipline in the country's schools

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – A violent incident at a school in Johannesburg has left social media users stunned, after the principal was stabbed during an altercation.

The principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort sustained injuries after she was stabbed while attempting to defuse a violent altercation at the school on Monday, 18 August 2025. She was taken to the hospital, where she was treated for stab wounds to her hand.

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How was the principal stabbed?

According to Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the principal was attempting to stop a fight between learners from two schools. Learners from West Ridge High School, located west of Johannesburg, arrived at Hoërskool Roodepoort and attacked students. The principal then attempted to defuse the situation but was stabbed in the process.

Mabona explained that there was a previous conflict between learners from the two schools, which led to the latest incident.

“This violence follows an earlier altercation between learners from the two schools on Friday, 15 August 2025, which went viral on social media. Unfortunately, on Monday, 18 August 2025, a group of West Ridge learners who allegedly went there on a planned revenge, started attacking learners at the Hoërskool Roodepoort and pelted cars with stones.

What will happen to the learners?

Mabona confirmed that six Grade 12 boys from West Ridge High School were identified as responsible for the attack. They will be served with suspension letters, pending their appearance before a disciplinary committee.

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He added that further suspensions could be affected as more evidence was gathered. He also confirmed that three learners from Roodepoort sustained injuries in the altercation and were receiving medical attention.

How did South Africans react?

Social media users weighed in on the situation, with many expressing concern about the conduct of the learners.

Rene Parsons stated:

“Future leaders. What does one expect with a 30% pass rate?”

Elaine McManus Coetzer said:

“Being a teacher has become a high-risk profession. No wonder so many parents are choosing homeschooling.”

Ernest Mushiyi asked:

“What do you expect from schools without corporal punishment?”

Wayne Jordaan suggested:

“Schools have become training and breeding grounds for violence and gangster-related activities since discipline and punishment were taken out.”

Roger Quan added:

“Oh no. That's terrible. Kids think that violence is now the way to solve things.”

Amanda Engelbrecht asked:

“Suspended? They should be locked up for a few days. That should frighten them straight.”

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Bella Blue questioned:

“Principals now need bodyguards 🙈What is happening to our children. They have outright killer instincts.”

Cathy Brown Johnson asked:

“What about criminal charges being pressed?”

Other stories of learners being stabbed

Briefly News reported that the Roodepoort stabbing is the latest in a string of violent altercations in the country's schools in 2025.

In February 2025, three learners were rushed to the hospital after they were stabbed during an altercation between pupils in Durban.

In March 2025, a Limpopo learner stabbed and killed a Grade 10 pupil at a cultural event.

More recently, a Grade 11 learner from a Pretoria East school was stabbed to death by a Grade 12 learner from another school.

Source: Briefly News