Gauteng Education MEC
By Neo Mofokeng
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has pledged to enforce strict discipline in schools following the tragic stabbing death of 19-year-old Lethabo Mokonyane at Lesedi Secondary School in Pretoria. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, has reignited concerns over the rising tide of bullying and violence in Gauteng schools. Two suspects, including a fellow pupil, have been arrested, and Chiloane has made it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated, promising swift action to protect learners and maintain safe learning environments.
A Deadly Incident Shocks the Community
On Tuesday, 17 June 2025, Lethabo Mokonyane, a Grade 11 learner at Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong, Tshwane, was fatally stabbed while boarding a scholar bus after completing his examinations. The attack was allegedly carried out by two 19-year-old pupils from the same school. Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo reported that one suspect had not attended school that day but returned in the afternoon to confront Mokonyane. The altercation, believed to stem from a prior dispute, ended with Mokonyane being stabbed multiple times in the back, chest, and stomach. He was rushed to Lethabong Healthcare Clinic, where he was pronounced dead.
The two suspects were arrested on Friday morning, 20 June 2025, and are due to appear in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court to face murder charges. The Gauteng Department of Education has deployed psychologists and the School Safety Unit to provide trauma counselling to learners and staff, many of whom witnessed the horrific event.
MEC Chiloane’s Firm Stance Against Bullying
During a visit to Lesedi Secondary School on Friday, MEC Matome Chiloane addressed learners and educators, delivering a stern warning about the consequences of bullying and violence. “Bullying will not be tolerated. The minute you bully or are suspected of bullying, we’re going to remove you from the school and hand you over to your parents,” he declared. Chiloane stressed the importance of discipline, saying, “Fighting is wrong. We are going to enforce discipline, and when we enforce discipline, we are going to protect learners. Bullying is not going to be tolerated.”
He encouraged pupils to report bullying incidents to teachers, principals, or even directly to him via his personal Facebook page. “Speak out when you are being bullied. Speak out, do not be quiet. Or tell the principal because some are scared to talk to the teachers. You know what others do, they send me messages on my personal Facebook to say, ‘MEC, we are dealing with bullying and the principal is not doing anything’. I will personally make sure that you are protected,” Chiloane assured.
A Family Mourns and a Community Reels
The loss of Lethabo Mokonyane has left his family and the school community devastated. His aunt, Mme Shelly Mokonyane, expressed her grief and frustration, stating, “These are the results of bullying. Lethabo is gone, and who’s next?” Her words echo the fears of many parents in Gauteng, where school violence has become an alarming concern. Learners at Lesedi Secondary School continue to receive counselling as they process the trauma of losing a peer in such a violent manner.
School Violence: A Growing Crisis in Gauteng
The stabbing at Lesedi Secondary School is part of a disturbing trend of violence plaguing Gauteng schools. In February 2023, a Grade 10 learner was killed at Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan after a dispute involving pepper spray. In October 2022, multiple schools reported stabbings and fights, while on 10 May 2025, seven teenage girls were arrested for assaulting a peer in Bellevue, Johannesburg. Over 1,000 violent incidents were recorded in Gauteng schools in 2024, with gangsterism, bullying, and social media often cited as contributing factors.
The Gauteng Department of Education has identified 275 high-risk schools and is working to address the root causes of this violence, including unresolved conflicts and gang-related activities. The latest tragedy has intensified calls for stronger interventions to ensure learner safety.Stepping Up Safety Measures
In response to the crisis, the department launched Operation Kgutla Molao in July 2023, targeting 1,700 schools with a focus on suspensions for violent learners and disciplinary actions for staff. Following the Lesedi incident, additional measures are being reviewed, including anti-bullying campaigns and conflict resolution programs. Chiloane emphasized the need for schools to remain safe havens, stating, “Our schools must remain spaces of learning, safety, and hope, not breeding grounds for brutality and violence.”
A Unified Effort to End Violence
MEC Chiloane has called on parents, educators, and community leaders to work together to combat school violence. He urged parents to monitor their children’s behaviour and address any signs of aggression or bullying. As Gauteng mourns Lethabo Mokonyane, the department’s resolve is clear: strict discipline and collective action are essential to prevent further tragedies and restore safety to the province’s schools.
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