A learner was shot and injured during a protest at a school in Mthatha on Thursday afternoon.
The protest took a violent turn when the leaners from the Atwell Madala High School, who were reportedly demanding the expansions of their classrooms due to overcrowding, among other issues, blockaded a nearby road with burning tyres.
One learner was wounded in the arm allegedly by the police while dispersing the crowd.
Police spokesperson, Captain Dineo Koena, said they are investigating a case of public violence and malicious damage to property.
"We cannot confirm whether live ammunition was used. We don't use live ammunition to disperse people we use rubber bullets," she said.
"In a case where live ammunition was used people are encouraged to open a case of attempted murder and IPID will be able to investigate that case," Koena said.
The Eastern Cape Education Department's spokesperson, Mali Mtima, said they have sent officials to address the situation.
"District officials are sitting with the learners, the school management team and the school governing body to come up with a road map that will be followed going forward. We are sure these engagements will yield positive results as we all have the same sentiment that teaching and learning resume in the school," he said.
