50 incidents in which learners have assaulted teachers have been reported to the Western Cape Education Department since January.

The department’s spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said this includes instances of both verbal and physical incidents.

“Sadly, we have had 50 incidents of learner assaults on teachers reported to Safe Schools in 2025. This includes incidents of both verbal or physical assault,” said Hammond.

This follows an incident last week, in which a grade 9 learner reportedly threw a brick at a teacher at Manenberg High School.

 “Some learners were bunking and when confronted by a teacher they allegedly started throwing verbal insults, stones and bricks at the educator, injuring him.”

Hammond said this incident is being investigated. It has also been reported that the parents of the learner have opened a case against the teacher, alleging that the learner was also assaulted by the teacher.

“A assault common case [was] registered at Manenberg SAPS for investigation. Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation. No arrest as yet. Both learner and teacher opened assault common cases against each other,” confirmed Captain Frederick Van Wyk, spokesperson for the Western Cape SAPS.

Moreover, the incident has raised concerns over the growing number of violent interactions of this nature.

“While there are over 1.2 million learners in our system, 50 incidents of verbal or physical assault is 50 too many,” Hammond stated.

She reiterated that any form of abuse of a teacher or of a learner is unacceptable.

 “The majority of our learners show respect and value our teachers, but there are learners that show disrespect towards them.”

Hammond said that teachers are receiving training on how to deal with stressful class situations, the department is calling on parents to play an active role.

“We appeal to parents of learners for their cooperation and support in managing their child’s behaviour at schools. We all need to work together as a team to ensure safe learning environments,” said Hammond.

This article has been updated with additional information. 

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