Update: MEC Lesufi visits school, family of murdered Germiston learner

Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi visited Graceland Education Centre, near Elsburg, on Monday, to speak to the principal.

The visit comes after the body of Laticia Princes Jansen (14), a Grade Nine learner at the school, was found murdered on Friday morning in Elsburg.

It is alleged she was raped before being murdered.

She went missing on Wednesday.

He then visited the victim’s family in van Lingen Street in Dukathole and was due to address the media.

The GCN has a journalist on the scene.

According to information at the Gauteng Department of Education’s disposal, Jansen did not return home from school on Wednesday.

He grandmother panicked and started searching the neighbourhood, to no avail.

After a sleepless night, her grandmother reported Jansen missing at the police station and she was informed to bring a photo of Jansen to them that day.

“It is also concerning that the school failed to assist the parent,” said a statement issued by the Gauteng Department of Education.

“On Friday, her grandmother mobilised the community and accompanied by dogs they went on a search mission in the nearby bush.

“Her body was discovered and she had been stabbed, raped and burnt.

“Sadly, the grandmother had to go back to the Elsburg Police Station to inform them about the gruesome discovery.”

The statement went on to say that Jansen and a group of learners from Dukathole were left behind by the departmental scholar transport on Wednesday and unfortunately had to return home.

It seems Jansen was left behind by her peers while walking home, apparently after complaining about a heavy school bag which she was trying to fix.

That was the last time she was seen by her peers.

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Lesufi visited the family on Sunday and conveyed his condolences and assured them that if the school is in the wrong, he will act decisively.

“It is alleged the scholar transport has started a tendency of departing earlier than scheduled and as a result many learners are left behind, which is a serious concern for us.

“We will investigate the circumstances surrounding this allegation,” Lesufi said.

“We have visited the family to convey our sincere condolences this afternoon, January 26.”

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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