Princess Nolundi Meje from Machibi Village in Port St Johns is worried about the safety of learners from Gcinumthetho Senior Secondary School in Port St Johns, following a recent house robbery and attempted murder which occurred in one of the cottages rented by them, next to this school.
Meje said that the victims were sleeping when one of the boy learners, accompanied by suspects, knocked at their door.
She said that when they opened the door, they saw the men who were at the door were unknown to them, so they tried to close the door.
“While they were still trying to close it, the perpetrators fired a shot and the bullet hit one of the Grade 12 learners (her name is known by Express) in the arm, she was inside this cottage when this happened. After that they entered and took belongings of these learners, including their identity documents, clothes and more,” said Meje.
She added that this learner was supposed to write Economics and Isixhosa Paper 2 on Tuesday last week, but she did not manage to write, because she was shot in the right hand that she is using.
According to her, this was not the first incident that happened where learners from this school were victims of crime.
She said that if these learners were living in the homestead where there are elders who would hear about this on the same night it happened.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mali Mtima, said that the school is aware of this incident, and it is working to ensure that the victim writes her examination, whether in the form of supplementary examination but arrangements will be made.
“They are consulting with the Provincial Department to see how best the matter can be solved since this happened and disturbed the learner in her writing. It is a valid reason and the department is considering the matter,” said Mtima.
Police spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, confirmed that cases of house robbery and attempted murder have been opened at Port St Johns police station, incidents which took place at Machibini Village in Diphini locality.
“The victim was with five other schoolmates when they heard a knock from a known male scholar asking them to open, only to find out he was accompanied by other people who turned out to be suspects,” said Matyolo.
He added that after opening the door, five males entered and demanded money. According to him, they took R900 clothing and cellular phones.
Matyolo said all suspects were armed.
“The victim was shot in her upper, right arm and sustained a bullet wound. She was taken to Majola clinic and further to Port St Johns Health Care Centre. The case is pending investigations; no arrest as yet, and a 72 activation plan is in place.”
