SERIOUS crimes under investigation in Bitou include the suspected murder of a Crags mother, and the stabbing of a 17-year-old schoolboy by another learner at Murray High School in Kwanokuthula.
A herb gatherer found the body of Nokwanda Nnzengana, 38, in a forest behind the Kurlandbrik factory at The Crags on July 10. She was last seen alive eight days earlier by her 12-year-old daughter.
Police said Nnzengana left her home in The Crags and disappeared after receiving a telephone call.
The results of an autopsy conducted on the partially decomposed body were not yet available, but police have opened a murder docket.
A reward has been offered for proper information about Nnzengana's death. Call Warrant Officer John Nomdoe on 044 5011 900 or 072 2393 289 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
In the other incident last week, Grade 9 learner Songezo Joseph, 17, was stabbed once in the chest by another pupil during a fight outside the staff room at Murray High. He required treatment at Knysna Hospital.
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy, who appeared in the juvenile court on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
W-Cape Education Minister Donald Grant said the incident was "absolutely unacceptable".
Grant said the school had previously asked Kwanokuthula police to conduct random search and seize operations at Murray High. "Hopefully this will now happen." He said his department was awaiting a report on the incident.
He also said new legislation making its way through parliament would give the authorities "teeth" to deal with violence at schools.
Normal teaching activities resumed at Murray High School soon after the incident, and the education department provided psychologists and counsellors to brief learners and offer trauma support.
Garden Route Media
