The brutal killing of three female teachers at Ntabankulu Primary School in the Eastern Cape has sparked national outrage, with political parties and Parliament raising serious concerns about school safety, bail decisions and the protection of victims and witnesses in cases involving gender-based violence.

The teachers were shot during school hours last Thursday in what authorities believe was a targeted attack. Another educator was seriously injured and remains in hospital. The alleged perpetrator is reported to be a former deputy principal of the school, who had been dismissed after allegations of sexual assault against a learner and was reportedly out on bail at the time of the attack.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned the killings, describing them as a “brutal massacre” and an indictment of the state’s failure to confront sexual violence in schools. The party said it was deeply disturbing that a suspect previously accused of sexual assault was allegedly able to access school premises and carry out the attack.

The EFF further raised alarm over reports that one of the murdered teachers was a witness in the sexual assault case, saying this highlighted serious failures in bail conditions, witness protection and the safeguarding of whistleblowers. “This tragedy shows the consequences of a justice system that continues to fail victims of gender-based violence,” said party spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.

Placing the incident within a broader national context, the EFF pointed to alarming levels of sexual violence against young girls in schools, particularly in the Eastern Cape. According to the party, 396 learners aged between 10 and 14 years fell pregnant in the province during the last reporting period, figures it said pointed to widespread statutory rape occurring in and around school environments.

Thambo said the party also blamed budget cuts and staff shortages for the collapse of safety in public schools, especially in rural areas. It said austerity-driven retrenchments of general workers and security personnel had left schools dangerously exposed, undermining the National School Safety Framework. “We reiterate calls for an urgent review of bail conditions for those accused of sexual and violent crimes and strengthened witness protection measures,” Thambo said.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education said it had learned of the shooting with “utter shock and profound sadness”. Committee chairperson Joy Maimela said the attack had shattered a space meant to represent safety, learning and hope.

“The brutal loss of dedicated teachers is a devastating blow to their families, colleagues, learners and the broader Ntabankulu community,” Maimela said, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing strength to those affected.

Maimela said the committee was deeply concerned by reports that the alleged perpetrator was a former employee of the school who was out on bail at the time of the attack. She said the circumstances raised serious questions about school safety, firearm access, and the protection of educators and learners.

She called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure accountability and to identify any systemic failures that may have contributed to the tragedy. Maimela welcomed the swift deployment of counsellors and psychosocial support services by the Eastern Cape Department of Education but urged that long-term support be provided to learners, educators and families.

“This tragic event underscores the urgent need to strengthen safety and security measures at schools, particularly in rural areas,” she said, adding that violence against educators was an attack on the future of the country.

Police investigations into the killings are continuing.