Lerato Mbhiza
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was devastated by an incident that occurred on Sunday, where a Grade 11 girl learner from Chipa-Tabane Secondary School in Refilwe, Cullinan east of Pretoria, was allegedly raped and murdered.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona the learner was attending extra classes on Friday, 22 March 2024, and Saturday, 23 March 2024.
“It is reported that the learner allegedly left the house on Sunday, 24 March 2024, at around 18:00 PM and did not return. Her mother then filed a missing person’s report with the police that same night,” he said.
“Upon receiving information that the learner was last seen with her cousin, her family then went to the cousin’s house on Monday, 25 March 2024 to ascertain further details regarding her whereabouts.
“They then found the learner’s lifeless body in a room inside the cousin’s house. Police were contacted and arrived at the scene to commence with their investigations”.
The learner was allegedly sexually assaulted before being strangled to death.
The suspect handed himself over to police on Monday night and is set to appear in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 27 March 2024.
“We are deeply devastated by the passing of our dear learner, especially through such gruesome circumstances. We solemnly sympathise with her beloved family, extending our most sincere condolences to them and the school community at large,” he said .
INSIDE EDUCATION