Teacher stabbed by pupil in Welkom
Staff Writer / Sun, 27 Sept 2026
A 62-year-old teacher is fighting for her life in hospital after she was brutally stabbed by a Grade 11 learner.
The horrific Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) attack happened on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, after school hours at the teacher’s private home in Dagbreek, Thabong, Welkom.
AdvertisementYour business hereAdvertise with News JunctionIt is alleged that the Grade 11 learner from Teto Secondary School was hiding inside her house and attacked her with a sharp object, stabbing her many times on the head and hands.
Free State Department of Education Spokesperson Howard Ndaba has confirmed the shocking incident.
Ndaba said “The Department confirms that it is aware of the incident. The horrific incident allegedly occurred on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, after school hours, at the educator’s private residence in Dagbreek. It is alleged that a Grade 11 learner from the school was hiding inside her home and attacked her with a sharp object.”
The victim is a senior female educator with 38 years of unblemished service at Teto Secondary School. She has not been named to protect her dignity and privacy.
Ndaba said” in line with GBVF reporting protocols and to protect the dignity, privacy and safety of the victim, the Department will not disclose her name. She is a 62-year-old female educator with 38 years of dedicated and unblemished service”
A case has been opened and SAPS are now investigating. The identity of the learner cannot be revealed to avoid jeopardising the investigation.
The School Management Team has already visited the educator and her family.
Ndaba said the Department is providing help to the family.
“Psychosocial support will be provided through the Employee Health and Wellness Programme and the District-based Learner Support Unit for the educator, her family, and affected staff and learners. Our immediate priority remains the health, recovery and safety of our educator.” he said.
This has since left Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mamiki Maboya, is fuming.
“We are appalled and deeply saddened by this cowardly and barbaric attack on one of our most seasoned educators – a mother and grandmother who has given almost four decades of her life to shaping the future of this province. An attack on an educator is an attack on the entire education system. We will not tolerate any form of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, ” Ndaba said.
Ndaba said MEC Maboya has instructed the Lejweleputswa Education District to make sure all support is given to the educator and her family, and called on cops to act fast.
“The Department is working closely with SAPS to ensure that justice is served. We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book,” Ndaba said
The Department is now begging the community to stop sharing the victim’s details and graphic pictures on social media.
“We appeal to members of the public and the school community to allow the law to take its course and to refrain from circulating the victim’s personal details, graphic images or unverified information, as this causes secondary trauma,” Ndaba added.
News Junction
