Staff Reporter.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he is devastated by a fatal scholar transport hijacking that took place outside Faranani Primary School in Protea Glen.
The man had tried stop an attempted hijacking outside the school on Tuesday, when he was shot and certified dead on the scene.
The incident, which saw a group of unknown suspects trying to hijack a transport vehicle that was fetching pupils, took place just outside the school’s main gate, in full view of children and staff.
According to the Gauteng Education Department, a group of unknown suspects attempted to hijack a scholar transport vehicle that was fetching learners from the school in the afternoon at approximately 14:00.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the brave parent who lost his life in an attempt to prevent this criminal act. As the Department, we have committed to dispatching our Psychosocial Team to the school to provide necessary counselling and support to all those who witnessed the incident unfold, and others who may be traumatized by it, “Chiloane said.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the incident.
Last week, new Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the province would increase its budget and recruit 6 000 people to assist police in law enforcement.
Chiloane welcomed the announcement and indicated he would request that police officers be placed outside schools since patrollers were not armed.
“In that 6 000, we will be requesting that schools should be guarded by police officials as part of a programme to apprehend [any suspects].
“We want the officers to be stationed at schools in the morning and in the afternoon,” he added.
“We have picked up that this area has a problem [as] there’s no police station nearby [so] that is a matter that we will take to the relevant authorities and we will also be requesting is that mobile police stations be closer to schools as and when they are deployed, “the MEC said.