Education Portfolio Committee Saddened by Death of School Girls

It has been reported that the alleged perpetrator was formerly involved in a relationship with one of the girls

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 29, 2018/ -- The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is saddened and outraged by the murder of two North West school girls.Committee Chairperson Ms Nomalungelo Gina condemned femicide and any form of violence against women and children. It has been reported that the alleged perpetrator was formerly involved in a relationship with one of the girls.“Surely our young men cannot be thinking that this is a way to address challenges. Furthermore, the gruesome manner in which these young girls were killed is truly shocking,” said Ms Gina.It has been reported that one of the girls was found hanging from a staircase by the matron at the school in Stella near Vryburg, while the body of the second girl was later discovered with a rope around her neck in the bathroom. They were 16 and 17 years old.Ms Gina praised the police for the speedy arrest of the suspect and appealed for speedy justice for the girls. “We need to ensure that justice is served speedily. This will send the correct message that criminality and cowardly acts will not be tolerated.”Ms Gina further expressed her condolences to the family of the nine-year-old school girl, who was killed in Durban yesterday. The girl is reported to have been shot on her way to school in a botched hijacking. One of the suspects has been arrested.Ms Gina appeal for calm in the area after it emerged that community protests erupted in front of the Chatsworth Police Station. “We appeal to the community to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands. Let the police do their work and rather assist them in ensuring all perpetrators are punished accordingly.“The committee sends its condolences to all the families, friends and neighbours affected by both tragedies. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. In both cases, young girls are being robbed of their lives through senseless acts of violence.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament