Caledon parents concerned about their children’s safety at school

The community of Caledon in the Western Cape has been left devastated after the body of a 16-year-old learner was found in a storeroom at a local school.

The learner was reported missing last week by her mother when she did not return home after school.

Community members in the Caledon area say this incident comes as a shock and has left parents and learners worried about safety at the school.

“My concern is currently the safety of our children. Is our children safe at school? And for me it’s like, you go from your home when you are the safest, go to school where you are also supposed to be safe. So for me, safety is my first priority now. All the people love everybody, that’s why I’m saying the community was shocked about that thing that happened here in Caledon.”

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Meanwhile, the Western Cape Education Department says the necessary support is being offered to learners and the school community.

The Provincial Minister of Education David Maynier says,  “I visited the school to offer my condolences to the school and the district. Our department psychologists and social workers are working with other organisations to provide counseling support to learners and the broader community. I appeal to the media and the public to respect the privacy of the family, fellow learners, and staff at this time.”

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk says the circumstances surrounding the death of the learner are currently under investigation by the provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.

“A missing person report was completed and circulated. A search party was established by Caledon police. The search party later found the body of a girl in the storeroom on the school premises. She was declared deceased by medical personnel on the scene. The victim was identified as the missing person. Anyone with information about this fatal incident is requested to contact the investigating officer detective Brigadier Leon Hanana.”

Missing girl’s body found in a storeroom on school premises in Caledon: