By Naledi Khumalo
A 19-year-old Grade 10 learner was shot dead at Ndengezi Intermediate School in KwaNdengezi, near Pinetown, on Monday morning, 14 September 2026. KwaZulu-Natal police have opened a murder case and are hunting a pupil suspect who fled the school wearing the same uniform.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said in a statement issued on Monday that the victim and the suspect were seen entering the school premises together before the suspect opened fire. The victim was declared dead at the scene.
“It is alleged that the victim and the suspect were seen entering the school premises together when the suspect shot the victim several times, and the victim was declared dead at the scene. The suspect, who was wearing the same school uniform, fled the scene. The motive for the killing remains under investigation.”
KwaNdengezi SAPS opened the murder case on Monday morning. Police have not yet said whether the suspect was known to the victim.
This report rests on the official SAPS statement and confirmation from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education. Cape Flats News is checking further details with KwaNdengezi SAPS and the Pinetown District education office.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka confirmed that district management, SAPS and forensic services were called to the school after the shooting. Forensic services attended to the scene and removed the deceased.
“The loss of a learner is always devastating, but for such a tragedy to occur within the school environment is particularly distressing. I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of this young learner.”
Hlomuka sent condolences to the learner’s family, friends, fellow learners, educators and the Ndengezi Intermediate School community. He also urged the public to allow law enforcement officials to conduct the investigation without interference and to avoid spreading unverified information on social media.
“I urge everyone to allow law enforcement officials to conduct their investigation without interference. I also appeal to members of the community to refrain from spreading unverified information, particularly on social media, as this can cause further pain and distress to the bereaved family and the school community.”
The school falls under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s Pinetown District. KwaNdengezi is near Pinetown, west of Durban.
The killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents at KwaZulu-Natal schools since August 2026. On 17 August, 15-year-old Grade 8 pupil Philasande Mkhize was stabbed to death at Zifikile High School in Inchanga in a dispute allegedly over goalkeeper gloves, and a 16-year-old pupil was arrested.
On 4 August, four pupils were arrested in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old fellow pupil at a school in Sundumbili. Separately, an 18-year-old Grade 10 learner from Glendale near Stanger was found dead on 27 August after going missing following a school trip to Hammarsdale.
The repeated violence has raised renewed concerns about weapons and safety in South African schools. The provincial education department has faced pressure to tighten security and support services for pupils.
Police have not disclosed whether a weapon was recovered at Ndengezi Intermediate School. The SAPS statement did not release the victim’s name, and no arrest had been announced by Monday afternoon.
The suspect’s identity has not been publicly confirmed by police or education authorities. It is also unclear whether the suspect is a current pupil at the school or what triggered the shooting.
What remains unknown is whether the suspect has been located, what weapon was used, and the exact motive for the attack. Cape Flats News journalist Naledi Khumalo will check with KwaNdengezi SAPS and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education by 18:00 on Monday for updates.