8 May 2007
A grade 8 learner this morning had to be rushed to hospital after a stray
bullet injured him while he was attending a lesson at Lower Crossroads
Secondary School in Ngqwangi Drive, Phillippi East. Staff at Lower Crossroads
Secondary School rushed Mgongiseni Mayongo, 17, to the Mitchell's Plain Day
Hospital for treatment. The hospital will make a decision later when to remove
the bullet by surgery.
A teacher is currently with him in the hospital. Officials of the Western
Cape Education Department (WCED) have arranged for his family to be with him as
well. Mgongiseni was in an English lesson about 08h45 when the bullet entered
through a classroom window, wounding him in his right arm below the elbow.
Police do not know the origin of the bullet at this stage. His teacher, Ms
Nomfazi Silwana, rushed him immediately to the office of the Acting Principal,
Ms Nyalleng Kwili, who arranged for a member of staff to take Mgongiseni to
hospital.
The school contacted Mgongiseni's mother and the Metropole South Education
Management and Development Centre (EMDC) of the WCED. Three EMDC officials went
to the school immediately on learning of the incident. They included the
Circuit Manager and the EMDC's Safe Schools Co-ordinator. The Safe Schools
Co-ordinator is providing trauma counselling for all those affected by the
shooting. The department awaits further information from the police.
For enquiries, contact:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
8 May 2007
