WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION MEC Cameron Dugmore expressed his anger at the shooting of a teacher and hostage taking of a 10-year-old learner at the Montevideo Primary School this morning. He will visit the family of the child tonight and address a special school assembly tomorrow morning at 08h00.

The man who shot a teacher and held a child hostage for nearly five hours, was fatally wounded at about 11h30 in the efforts of the police to rescue the boy.

The grade 2 teacher Mrs Joy van der Heever, who was shot in the left shoulder, was admitted to a hospital and is in a stable and satisfactory condition. Minister Dugmore will visit her tomorrow.

This morning, as the events unfolded, officials of the department assisted the principal, staff and learners throughout this ordeal. The learners were taken to an adjacent school and provided with debriefing and counselling. Teachers who were traumatised, were also provided with counselling.

Said MEC Dugmore: "I am very relieved at the fact that the learner appears to be unharmed, and that the teacher is out of danger.

"It is very upsetting and angers one to think that there are adults who are capable of subjecting our children to this kind of trauma.

"I am very grateful at the way officials from my department assisted the school staff and learners, and a special thanks also to the police for securing the boy and ensuring the safety of the other learners and teachers.

"This incident highlights the need for us to assess our safety and security measures on a continuous basis. Obviously it is very difficult to have foreseen a situation like this, but we must always look at ways to improve our systems.

"The safety of all our learners and teachers are of paramount importance."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.