Pretoria Boys High School pupil sparks fear in Gauteng South Africa as authorities debate expulsion over alleged school shooting threats

What started as a disciplinary hearing at Pretoria Boys High School has now turned into a wider argument about how schools should respond when a learner is accused of making violent threats.

At the centre of it is a 16-year-old pupil who cannot be named.

He is alleged to have made alarming comments suggesting a possible school attack, including references to “blowing up” the school and joking that he would be responsible if a shooting ever happened.

The case has split opinion between the school governing body and the Gauteng education authorities, with one side pushing for permanent removal and the other arguing for rehabilitation.

Alleged WhatsApp Voice Notes and Firearm Videos Raise Alarm

According to evidence presented during internal disciplinary proceedings, the learner allegedly sent WhatsApp voice notes to classmates saying that if there was ever a school shooting, “it was me,” and that he intended to “blow the school up.”

The governing body also reportedly reviewed videos said to show the pupil handling firearms, smoking cannabis, and discussing access to a Glock pistol.

The learner’s mother has disputed the interpretation of at least one of those videos, reportedly insisting the firearm shown was only a toy and not a real weapon.

These conflicting accounts have made it harder for authorities to reach a shared conclusion about intent versus exaggeration or teenage bravado.

School Governing Body Pushes for Expulsion Over Safety Concerns

The school’s governing body has taken a firm stance, arguing that the risk to other learners and staff is too serious to ignore.

Their position is that even if no physical attack has occurred, the nature of the threats and associated behaviour creates a safety risk that cannot be left unresolved.

They believe allowing the learner back into the school environment could undermine confidence among parents and pupils and potentially expose the community to danger.

Education Department Calls for Rehabilitation Instead of Removal

The Gauteng education department has taken a different view, arguing that expulsion should not be the first response for a 16-year-old child.

Department spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana said the pupil has shown remorse and should instead be guided through behavioural intervention and support systems.

The department also confirmed that the learner is under close monitoring, with parents, officials, and other stakeholders involved in ongoing supervision.

Their approach reflects a broader education policy trend in South Africa that emphasises corrective discipline rather than permanent exclusion, especially for minors.

Expert Warning: Remorse Alone Does Not Equal Low Risk

A leading voice in the debate, Prof Gérard Labuschagne, a forensic psychologist and Certified Threat Assessment Professional with experience as a former SAPS profiler, has warned against relying too heavily on remorse as a deciding factor.

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He stressed that emotional apology or regret does not automatically reduce the risk of future violent behaviour.

In his view, the key issue is structured violence risk assessment, not gut feeling or emotional impressions.

Labuschagne explained that threat assessment is not about punishment or proving guilt, but about predicting and preventing possible harm before it happens.

Why Threat Assessment Is Different From Discipline Cases

According to Labuschagne, schools often mix up disciplinary hearings with safety-focused risk evaluations.

A disciplinary process asks what happened and what rule was broken, while a threat assessment asks whether a person might still pose danger in the future.

He also warned against the idea that “no action was taken, so it’s not serious,” arguing that even verbal threats can create fear and psychological distress in a school environment.

Students at Pretoria Boys High School are reportedly already experiencing anxiety as the case continues.

Expulsion May Not Solve the Underlying Risk

One of the more controversial points raised is that expulsion may not necessarily reduce risk.

Labuschagne argued that removing a learner without support structures can sometimes increase vulnerability, especially if the underlying behavioural or psychological issues are not addressed.

He said unmanaged expulsion could lead to isolation, resentment, or escalation of risk factors outside the school system.

Instead, he advocates a coordinated intervention involving parents, mental health professionals, case managers, and school authorities working together.

Impact and Consequences

The immediate impact is a tense school environment where uncertainty is affecting both learners and staff.

Even without a confirmed attack, the perception of risk can shape behaviour, attendance anxiety, and parental trust in the institution.

For the pupil involved, the case could define how his education and supervision proceed for years.

A strict expulsion could push him out of the formal system, while supervised reintegration would place him under structured monitoring.

On a broader level, the case is adding pressure on South African education authorities to clarify how schools should handle credible threats in an era where social media and messaging apps can amplify even casual statements into serious security concerns.

What’s Next?

Discussions between the school and the Gauteng education department are still ongoing, and no final decision has been confirmed.

A key next step is likely to involve further assessment of the learner’s behaviour history, mental state, and credibility of the alleged threats.

Authorities may also decide on whether external psychological evaluations should be prioritised before any final ruling on expulsion or reintegration is made.

Whatever the outcome, the case is expected to influence future school safety protocols and how threat assessments are handled across the province.

Summary

A Pretoria Boys High School learner is at the centre of a serious disciplinary and safety dispute after alleged threats of a school shooting sparked calls for expulsion.

While the school governing body argues for removal due to safety concerns, the education department insists on rehabilitation and supervision.

Experts warn that decisions should be guided by formal violence risk assessments rather than emotional responses like remorse alone.

Bulleted Takeaways

• A 16-year-old Pretoria Boys High School learner is accused of making violent school threat comments.
• Alleged WhatsApp voice notes included references to blowing up the school.
• Videos reportedly show firearms handling and drug use claims, though disputed by the mother.
• The school governing body wants expulsion due to safety risks.
• Gauteng education department supports rehabilitation instead of removal.
• Expert Prof Gérard Labuschagne says remorse is not a reliable indicator of risk.
• Violence risk assessment is recommended over standard disciplinary reasoning.
• Expulsion may not reduce risk if underlying issues are not addressed.
• Learners and staff are reportedly experiencing anxiety amid the case.
• Talks between authorities and the school are still ongoing.