Cape Town - A grade 2 teacher at Arcadia Primary School in Bonteheuwel was stabbed by an unknown suspect on Thursday, who also stole her cellphone during her teaching period.
It is understood the suspect climbed over a high-wired spiked perimeter fence and entered the Grade 2 classroom, stabbing the teacher in the shoulder.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a case of robbery aggravated was being investigated.
It was not clear on Thursday whether any children witnessed the incident.
“According to reports a 53-year-old female teacher of the school was busy in class when an unknown, masked, male person entered her class and stabbed her once on the left shoulder.
When she fell to the ground the male asked for her cellular telephone and took it from her table and fled the scene.
She was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. A robbery aggravated case was opened for investigation,” said Van Wyk.
Education MEC David Maynier urged anyone with information about the perpetrator to immediately contact police.
“We are shocked by this incident, and thankful that the teacher was not more seriously injured. It is unacceptable that criminals should target our teachers, who play such a vital role in our society. Someone, somewhere, knows the perpetrator, and must do the right thing by turning them in,” said Maynier.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department was very disturbed by the incident.
“The teacher is currently being medically treated. Thankfully, the wounds are not serious. However, such an incident is extremely traumatic for the teacher, the learners, and the entire school community.
The WCED has arranged for counselling support. We sincerely hope that the perpetrator is apprehended by SAPS as soon as possible,’ said Hammond.
Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times