Northern Cape: The MEC for Department of Transport, Safety & Liaison, Mr Lebogang Motlhaping is saddened by the death of a grade 10 learner who was shot dead on school premises in Batlharos.
The incident is regrettable and no form of violence or criminality should be allowed in our communities, more especially in our schools.
Schools are a place of learning and our children deserve safe learning environments without criminality invading and disturbing the learning opportunities of our children.
According to the SAPS, a teacher at Mokgolokwe Secondary School alerted the police of the incident. Police who were patrolling in the Batlharos policing area were dispatched to the school and upon arrival the 17year old Goitsemodimo Gaolape was declared dead on the scene.
As a Department, we deem the incident as regrettable and cannot be tolerated anywhere in our communities. We have requested the SAPS to speedily conclude their investigations on the matter and are also pleased with the speedy response of police as the suspect was apprehended and appeared at the Mothibistad Magistrate Court on a charge of murder on Friday.
MEC Motlhaping and Provincial Commissioner Lt General Peter Shivuri visited the family on Friday and conveyed their condolences to the family, friends and learners at the school on the unfortunate death of the young soul.
Let us all work together with the Police in ridding our schools of all forms of criminal elements and alert the police of any suspicion of unlawful behaviour or elements both in schools and communities. We need to reclaim our schools and communities so we can live and raise our children in safe environments.