Wynberg Girls’ High School in Cape Town was evacuated on Friday morning after receiving its second bomb threat in a matter of days, disrupting matrics writing exams.
The school confirmed the incident in a message to parents shortly after 08:00, saying: “We have received a second bomb threat and have evacuated the school building.”
WGHS confirmed that calm had been restored and that all matrics were eventually seated and writing their Life Sciences National Senior Certificate (NSC) paper.
Early-Morning Threat Sparks Full Evacuation
Principal Dr Jennifer Wallace later informed parents that the threatening phone call was received at 07:48.
“As per protocol, we immediately alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the other schools on the campus, and the evacuation was promptly initiated,” she said.
Support from neighbouring schools was immediate.
Wynberg Boys’ High School offered alternative exam venues while the junior schools assisted by transporting the matric learners across campus.
Declared the campus safe
The Bomb Squad and K9 Unit conducted a full sweep of the premises and declared the campus safe.
“I am pleased to report that SAPS gave us the all-clear… and we have now safely returned to the school building,” Wallace said, thanking the community for its cooperation and calmness.
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said at the time: “Wynberg SAPS are currently on the scene at a secondary school in Wynberg, where the school received a call of a bomb threat.
“The school has been evacuated and we are awaiting the Bomb Disposal Unit and Cape Town K9 Unit to sweep through the school and make sure it is safe for learners and staff.”
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that exam integrity was not compromised and that matrics were writing as scheduled.
Second Threat Follows Last Week’s Exam Disruption
The school previously received a bomb threat on 5 November, during the writing of Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda and South African Sign Language papers.
That threat was also declared a hoax, but the late confirmation caused major disruption, forcing several exams to be rescheduled.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that bomb scares – even hoaxes – carry severe legal consequences.
