Yanga Msongelwa (13), who was allegedly shot and killed by a school security guard, Nolalinzima Malundana (61), at Matafeni Primary School in Lusikisiki, will be laid to rest at his home tomorrow, June 7.
According to his father, Mnoneleli Msongweni (44), he was in Grade 8 at the same school where he was allegedly shot. Msongelwa and other learners entered the school premises with the intention of accessing the school’s wi-fi when they were accosted by the security guard (Malundana).
The incident happened on the evening of May 23.
“They started running, the guard fired at them, hitting two boys. One boy sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital. Yanga was my only son, and he used to help when doing something here at home,” the distraught father said.
He added that he received a call from a neighbour informing him that his son was injured at school.
According to Mnoneleli Msongweni, he was told that his brother was already at the scene.
“I then talked to him with the aim of finding out what was happening. It was hard for him to tell me the truth, but after I asked him several times, he told me that my son was no more.
“What is breaking my heart is that he was my only son, and he was brilliant and always willing to help me,” said Mnoneleli Msongweni.
He said he wants justice for his son.
A neighbour, Ntsikilelo Dick, said that the community is shocked about the incident.
“This is giving us a shock and we will never forget that our children are not safe, even if they are in their homes. We demand justice for both victims.” said Dick.
The Director of Khula Child Development Programme, Petros Majola, said that according to him, the boys were not a threat, because they were very young and were not a danger to the security guard.
“According to the survivor, they ran away. When you are running it means you are not dangerous, you are just afraid of that particular person. These children came to connect to the wi-fi that belongs to their school,” said Majola.
“I want to mention that the MEC for Department of Education, Fundile Gade, is doing his best in this department to be there when we need his help. It means it will be easy for us as an organisation to get all the answers that we need about this incident,” said Majola.
