“The Western Cape Education Department is confident that the perpetrators of the Sithembele Matiso shooting will be brought to book,” said MEC for Education in the Western Cape, Donald Grant, on Tuesday.
“The department cannot comment on the circumstances surrounding the murder while the police investigation is underway, however, I am pleased that the South African Police Services has appointed a top-notch team to investigate the case.”
MEC Grant said that officials of the Metropole South education district of the Western Cape Education Department had today arranged counselling for learners and teachers at Sithembele Matiso Secondary School following the murder of the acting principal yesterday.
“Classes did not take place today. This was to allow for counselling and meetings with learners and staff, however, teaching will resume tomorrow, to further counselling and therapy sessions with the assistance of a service provider.
“The service provider will organise sessions involving art and music to assist the learners in coping with the tragedy at the school,” he said.
Grant said that Lynne Primo, the districts circuit team manager, would sit in as the acting principal for the time being. The MEC will be visiting the school on Friday upon his return from an inspection of the Eden and Karoo education districts this week.
“I want to see first-hand how we can assist the learners and educators of the school. We need to ensure that learning can continue at the school despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in.
“I am fully confident that, with the Western Cape Department of Education and the community support, the school will come back from this tragedy. We will not let crime and violence affect the future growth of these learners.”
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