Grade 2 pupil who brought loaded gun to school sent for psychological assessment

Gauteng education department has confirmed that the Grade 2 pupil who brought a fully loaded gun on Tuesday to a primary school in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg, will be taken for psychological assessment.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi shocked Twitter on Thursday when he uploaded a screenshot of an email stating that the seven-year-old pupil brought the loaded firearm to school to shoot another boy after they had had a fight.

The department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona told News24 the decision to send the boy for psychological assessment was taken by the school’s governing body. He said the assessment would be provided by the department.

Mabona said police were called to the school and the gun was confiscated. He said the boy was taken to Brakpan police station, but has not been charged.

The gun is understood to belong to the boy’s father, who reportedly “distanced himself from the weapon” at the police station.

“He is currently at the school learning,” Mabona said.

“The department would like to urge all our learners to refrain from acts of misconduct in schools. We also urge parents to assist the department in instilling learner discipline in and outside the school environment. We will act swiftly on all misconduct cases involving learners and educators as they are reported to the department.”

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