Classes disrupted as pupils seek justice for the murder of Palesa Malatji
By Neo Poho
Classes were disrupted on Monday morning at the Ntsako Secondary School and neighbouring schools in Soshanguve, north of Tshwane as pupils marched to the Rietgat police station to seek justice for fellow grade 12 learner Palesa Malatji.
Malatji was brutally raped before being murdered on Thursday the 25th of May 2023 on her way home from attending extra classes.
Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the 17-year-old did not return home on Thursday and her family began searching for her at the school, unfortunately her body was found sexually violated on Friday next to Echibini Secondary School in Soshanguve.
While classes were disrupted on Monday morning, Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the area to reassure Malatji's family that the search for the perpetrators has began and also address the students at the Ntsako Secondary School.
"As of tomorrow (Tuesday), we are going to have security in schools to make sure that pupils are safe in schools, we have also spoken with the premier's wardens that after school they can go with the pupils, especially those that take after-school classes.
From Tuesday the 30th of May 2023, the learners will be accompanied by patrollers to go home with, this ensuring the safety of our children on their way home, we are also working together with the police that the culprits get caught sooner than later," Chiolane said.
The MEC also encouraged the students to go back to class, further promising that his department will deal with the problems that beset Gauteng schools.
"Remember that you are the future and we rely on you to take the country forward, we are doing our best to invest into your future and the department will continue to make sure that schools get proper security.
All these issues that you are facing are not falling on deaf ears, we will deal with them one by one,” Chiolane added.
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