IN the Eastern Cape, pupils attending study sessions have become easy targets for criminals.
On 6 November, Chadwin Witbooi, a grade 12 pupil from Paterson High School in Schauderville, Gqeberha, was brutally killed while returning from a study session.
This was followed by another incident on 11 November, where Vika Diya from Zanokhanyo Senior Secondary School in Mthatha was raped and stabbed several times. She died in hospital.
Four more grade pupils were shot on Sunday, 19 November as they studied for the final examination. Three of them died and one suffered a critical injury.
According to provincial education spokesman Mali Mtima, the first two pupils who were shot on Sunday were from Mzomhle High School. One of them, who was in grade 12, died and the other, who was in grade 11, was critically injured.
Mtima said the other two murdered pupils were from Buchule Tech High School and were both doing grade 11. The motive for the murders is still unknown.
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“We are glad as the department because the assailant has been arrested both in the shooting of four pupils and in the gruesome attack of Diya.
“The department has since activated the psycho-social support service for all affected schools. This is to ensure that all affected pupils, teachers, and parents receive debriefing and counselling,” said Mtima.
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade condemned the brutal attack on unarmed pupils by the thugs.
“This is a heinous crime, and these culprits need to face the wrath of the law for robbing the families of these young souls. We condemn this violence and crime against our pupils and schools, and it is concerning us now,” he said.
“The society needs to join hands in protecting our learners. We call upon the justice system to effect harsh sentences to these heartless criminals.
“May the families of these pupils find solace in God during this trying time of their lives. We send our sincere condolences to families during this period. I also wish a speedy recovery to the survivor of this incident who is still in a critical condition in hospital.”
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed that cops arrested Siphelele Jako (32) for the murders of three pupils and the injury of another on Sunday, 19 November.Naidu said: "The motive for the shooting is yet to be established and a case of murder (three counts) and attempted murder are under investigation.
"The suspect appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrates Court on 22 November, and he is remanded in custody until 6 February 2024."
