A De Duine Primary School shooting in Lotus River has left parents, learners and staff shaken after gunmen opened fire outside the school during dismissal on Thursday afternoon.

The Western Cape Education Department said no learners or staff members were physically injured. However, psychological support has been arranged for learners and educators who witnessed the incident.

Shooting happened during school dismissal

The shooting happened at about 2:40pm on Thursday, 23 April 2026, while learners were being dismissed from De Duine Primary School in Lotus River, according to a bystander account cited by Cape Argus.

The bystander said gunmen approached a vehicle outside the school and allegedly demanded cellphones and money at gunpoint. Shots were then fired after the occupants apparently resisted.

According to the account, the driver was shot in the hands, while a passenger was shot in the neck. They were taken to hospital for treatment.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the incident involved a passenger in a parent’s vehicle. She said the passenger sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to hospital.

WCED arranges trauma support

Hammond said no learners or staff were physically injured in the De Duine Primary School shooting. However, she said the department had arranged psychological support for those who saw the attack.

“The South African Police Service was contacted immediately and responded promptly,” Hammond said, according to Cape Argus.

She added that SAPS members worked with school management to ensure learners and educators were dismissed safely and in an orderly manner. A request was also made for increased police visibility around the school.