Update: MEC Lesufi says heads will roll if he doesn’t get answers
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi spoke to the media outside the home of Laticia Princes Jansen (14), whose body was found in Elsburg on Friday.
“Here we are meeting again because of another sad story.”
These were the somber words of Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi as he addressed the media gathered outside 14-year-old Laticia Princes Jansen’s Dukathole home on Monday.
Jansen was found allegedly stabbed, raped and burnt in Elsburg on Friday, after going missing on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education Steve Mabona explained that Jansen was among a group of learners from Dukathole who had been left behind by the departmental scholar transport on Wednesday, but she had unfortunately never returned home.
“Her grandmother reported Jansen missing at the Elsburg Police Station, where she was reportedly informed to bring a photo of Jansen to them that day,” said Mabona.
“The family then went to the child’s school, Graceland Education Centre, for help.
“The school did not assist the family.
“Her grandmother mobilised the community on Friday and accompanied by domestic dogs they went on a search mission in the nearby bush.
“It was during this search that the body was discovered.”
Lesufi explained that he was first alerted to the horrific incident by a community development worker.
“I received a call on Sunday,” Lesufi said.
“I asked the caller to please send me something in writing, as I could not believe the story.
“It was just shocking and devastating.
“Once had received the message I came to see the family.”
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Lesufi explained that he was left numb as the family told him the story of what had happened to Jansen.
“I didn’t expect to hear what I was hearing,” said Lesufi.
“I asked the family to allow me time to find the answers.”
Lesufi’s search for answers began at the school, but no one could give him any answers.
“No one could tell me why the school was not aware that a learner was not at school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday,” said Lesufi.
“The school was not aware.
“A parent comes to the school to say my child is missing and all that is said is go to the police station.
“There are no answers as to why the school didn’t assist further or follow-up when the learner still wasn’t there on Friday.”
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Lesufi also questioned why the times of the departmental scholar transport had been changed without speaking to the parents.
“We were told the learners were told in assembly, but that isn’t good enough in today’s age, parents will question what these children are up to without proper communication from the school,” said Lesufi.
Lesufi gave a deadline of 2pm on Monday for answers to be sent to him.
“If I don’t get answers heads will roll,” Lesufi said.
“There will be consequences.”
Lesufi said he would visit the family again on Tuesday when he had more answers.
In the interim, counsellors have visited the family to offer support.
“Jansen was always smiling,” said Whitney Barnes, a family friend and neighbour.
“She was a kind person.
“We always used to sing and dance together.”
This is a developing story and more details will be released as they become available.
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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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