Body of missing Grade 2 learner found ‘behind backroom’

In South Africa, a Grade 2 learner went missing over the weekend and not too long after her disappearance was found brutally murdered.

Her body, according to local police, was found behind a backroom in Katlehong.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he is appalled by the horrifying death of the Grade 2 girl learner.

It is alleged that the learner had gone missing from her home on Sunday 11 October 2020.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, she was allegedly raped and murdered and was found in one of the neighbours’ backyards.

Police, however, did not make mention of a rape incident.

“According to the information at our disposal, a suspect has been apprehended by the police,” said Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona.

Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said members from Katlehong North SAPS on Monday morning were alerted to the body of a child found in Motloung Section in Katlehong.

“On arrival at the scene, police found the little girl’s body behind a backroom. Paramedics certified the child dead on the scene,” said Peters.

“It has since been confirmed that the deceased eight-year-old girl had been reported missing by her mother on Sunday evening around 22:00. A case of murder has been opened as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the child. The post mortem will further determine the exact course of her death,” added Peters.

Lesufi expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the girl learner and denounced the gruesome acts that led to the learner’s death.

“It is with great sorrow to hear about the disheartening passing of one of our youngest learners at Sekgutlong Primary School. We rebuke the horrifying acts of the perpetrators involved in the death of this learner, and we wish for the uncompromised safety of all our learners,” said Lesufi.

“Our Psycho-Social Unit will visit the school to provide the necessary counselling [for] those who have been affected by this terrible incident,” he added.