| Ntabankulu Primary School shooting | |
|---|---|
 Police outside the school after the shooting | |
| Location | 30°57′16″S 29°18′24″E / 30.95433°S 29.3066°E / -30.95433; 29.3066 Ntabankulu Primary School, Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Date | 22 January 2026 (2026-01-22) c.12:00 p.m. (SAST) |
| Target | Staff |
Attack type | School shooting, mass shooting, murder–suicide |
| Deaths | 4 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrator | Ntuthuzelo Gcaba |
| Motive | Revenge for being accused of sexual misconduct |
On 22 January 2026, a school shooting occurred at the Ntabankulu Primary School in Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ntuthuzelo Gcaba, a 51-year-old former employee, stormed into Ntabankulu Primary School, where he had previously worked, and shot four teachers before Gcaba committed suicide, two were killed instantly. A third died later in the hospital.
The shooting caused panic and condemnation by politicians and community leaders, with many calling for higher school security.
Background
School attacks are rare in South Africa, with only six being reported since 1994, which resulted in eight deaths in total,[1] and a sword attack occurred in August 2008 in West Rand District Municipality. Most school shootings in the country are related to organized crime.[2]
At the time, the Ntabankulu Primary School had 1,011 enrolled pupils and 23 teachers. Between 2021 and 2025, 176 South African teachers were found guilty of sexual misconduct, involving harassment of both girls and boys.[3]
Shooting
At around 12pm, the shooter broke into the school by cutting through the perimeter fence. Twelve staff members at the school were having a meeting in the school cafeteria. The perpetrator then proceeded to enter the cafeteria, close the door behind him and open fire, fatally striking several teachers. The perpetrator then exited the cafeteria and shot another teacher before fatally shooting himself.[4][5][6]
The shooting occurred in front of several students, who fled. A few students tried to stop passing vehicles for help, while some students were found hiding in shops across town and along the side of the road. Many students were left traumatized.[7]
Four people were killed, including the perpetrator. Two people, including the perpetrator, were pronounced dead on scene, while the two other victims died in hospital, including one a day after the shooting who initially survived with critical injuries and died while being transported by ambulance to Mthatha General Hospital .[8][9] A fourth female teacher was struck by gunfire but survived with serious injuries.[10]
Police cordoned off the school as forensic experts processed the crime scene. South African Police Service confirmed that the case is being investigated under three counts of murder and an inquest docket relating to the suspect’s death.[4][11] The police suspects that the shooter was also looking to kill the school principal, who was not present at the meeting.[3]
Victims
The victims were identified as 52-year-old Nontombizonke Nonkondlo, a Xhosa-language teacher and a state witness in the sexual assault case against the perpetrator; 64-year-old Nolumanyano Nonyameko Matanzima, a grade one teacher who had served at the school for 17 years and was set to retire in June; and 52-year-old Buyiswa Nkqayi-Diko, a grade three teacher and the school's head of department for the foundation phase.[12][13]
Perpetrator
The perpetrator was identified as 51-year-old Ntuthuzelo Gcaba, a former deputy principal at the school who was fired in 2023 after being charged with sexual assault. He was out on bail awaiting trial at the time of the shootings.[12][4][5]
Before becoming the deputy principal, Gcaba worked as a dedicated English teacher at Ntabankulu Primary School. His transition into school leadership was marred by administrative errors according to his family. Following his firing, Gcaba faced intense personal and financial ruin. He was stripped of his salary while fighting a prolonged legal appeal process to get his job back. His family noted that the mounting pressure, coupled with the looming threat of prison time, severely warped his mental state. Gcaba's brother, Xolile, described Ntuthuzelo as quiet, devoted to education and seemingly incapable of violence.[14]
Gcaba's sexual misconduct trial commenced on March 27, 2024. His last court date was on October 7, 2025, and he was scheduled to reappear on Monday January 26, 2026, four days after the shooting took place. Gcaba firmly denied the allegations, claiming that the staff was conspiring against him.[12]
Aftermath and reactions
The shooting was condemned by Oscar Mabuyane, the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Joy Maimela, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Fundile Gade, the provincial MEC (Member of the Executive Council) of the Eastern Cape. The South African Democratic Teachers Union's provincial secretary, Malibongwe Ntame, called for improved school security and children's rights activist Petros Majola, urged stronger access control at schools.[12][15]
The husband of the victim Nontombizonke Nonkondlo, Khanyiso, who is the chief operations officer at the Ntabankulu Local Municipality has been vocal about his concerns regarding teacher and student safety after the shooting.[12]
While Gcaba had been charged with sexual assault, this was reportedly disputed by some community members and his family. Due to this, some social media users expressed sympathy with the shooter, with some going as far as hailing Gcaba as a hero[3]
The Eastern Cape Department of Education activated psychosocial support services and counselling for students, educators and the affected families. The school reopened four days after the shooting.[7]
See also
References
- "School Shootings by Country 2026". World Population Review. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- "Gang Violence Affects Many Schools In South Africa". www.careersportal.co.za. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- Feni, Lulamile (2 February 2026). "Ntabankulu teachers living in fear as some people defend shooter". Daily Dispatch. Arena Holdings. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- "UPDATE Fatal shooting at Eastern Cape school leaves two teachers dead". Independent Online. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- "Gunman kills teacher, wounds 2 others in Eastern Cape school shooting". SABC News. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- Coetzee, Eugene (28 January 2026). "Tragic loss of three committed teachers cannot be in vain". Daily Dispatch. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- Lambley, Garrin (22 January 2026). "Alleged sex offender shoots dead two teachers at Eastern Cape school". The South African. Blue Sky Publications. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- "Third teacher dies after Ntabankulu Primary School shooting". SABC News. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- Naudé-Steyn, Sonica (29 January 2026). "Dismissed Deputy Principal Kills Three Colleagues in School Shooting". The Kokstad Advertiser. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- Feni, Lulamile (21 May 2026). "Principal shot at close range in office". Daily Dispatch. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- "Ex-teacher opens fire at Eastern Cape school, dies on scene". Independent Online. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- "Outrage after three teachers shot dead at school". Daily Dispatch. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- Ndlanya, Babalwa (1 February 2026). "Province mourns loss of three educators in shooting tragedy". Mthatha Express. NovaNews (Pty) Ltd. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- Manjeya, Yamkeleka (1 February 2026). "Ntabankulu mired in grief after suspended teacher shoots 3 colleagues and himself". City Press. News24. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- "Media Statement: Basic Education Committee Chairperson Shocked by Eastern Cape School Shooting". Parliament of South Africa. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, expressed shock and sadness at the shooting at Ntabankulu Primary School in the Eastern Cape, which resulted in the deaths of three educators and left another educator critically injured.