By Ragheema Mclean
Panic broke out at Princeton Secondary School in Woodlands, Mitchell’s Plain, on Thursday morning after rumours spread that armed gang members had entered the premises. Alarmed parents rushed to the school to fetch their children, fearing for their safety.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed it had been alerted to an alleged threat and immediately activated safety protocols.
“It is not clear if this threat was a rumour or valid, but precautionary measures were taken to protect learners and educators. This initiated a multitude of rumours and fake news circulating on social media,” said WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.
She dismissed claims that gang members or learners had brought firearms onto the property.
“There have been no such incidents. Due to the fake news, parents began collecting their children, however teaching and learning has continued. Additional security has been arranged for dismissal time.”
Police also confirmed that no shooting took place.
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said, “Kindly be advised that Lentegeur SAPS attended to a complaint of a shooting at a school in Mitchell’s Plain, however no shooting incident occurred in or around the school.”
Image: SAPS
