School spokesperson, Annemarie Vorster, says an armed man believed to be in his twenties entered the school grounds at around 09:15 while a group of grade 10 learners were outside on the hockey and netball courts busy with activities during their sports period.

Vorster says the man, who allegedly jumped over a wall at the back of the schoo,l held two girls and a boy at gunpoint. He took their cell phones.

The teacher, who was busy with another group on the hockey court, heard learners on the netball court screaming. She then ran towards the man yelling that he must leave the learners alone. Vorster says the man fired shots at the teacher. The robber followed her when she ran away and also shot at other teachers who meanwhile came to investigate. She says there is a strong suspicion that the gunmen used blank bullets.

The suspect fled the scene allegedly on foot. No one was injured. Vorster says teachers and learners who were in the classrooms locked the doors and the school’s safety plan was put in place. All learners gathered in the assembly area.

A councillor at the school provided a debriefing session to learners and teachers. Vorster says the councillor and child services, who were on the scene also immediately, provided counselling to the extremely traumatised learners. Trauma Rescue, a local ambulance service, treated those in shock. Parents were called to collect their children while the rest of the school was dismissed after police declared the area safe.

Police have appealed to anybody with information that could lead to the arrest of the robber to contact their nearest police station. The suspect wore a blue jersey and a cap, which is the only description available at this point.

Vorster says some learners saw his face. – Christal-Lize Muller