It has been confirmed that Deveney Nel (16), a Grade 10 learner at Overberg High School in Caledon, was stabbed to death, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Overberg High student found dead in school’s storage room
Nel’s body was reportedly found in a storeroom on the school premises after she was reported missing by her mother. Suspicions were raised she did not pitch for her transport home to Grabouw after a sports day, during which she served on Overberg’s first aid team.
‘No words could provide comfort right now, but our thoughts are with them at this time,’ Education MEC David Maynier said. ‘The school community is understandably traumatised and distressed.’
Maynier asked the media and public to respect the privacy of the family, fellow learners and staff. ‘Allow them the space to grieve this unimaginable loss.’
The school held a memorial for Nel on Monday, asking learners to bring flowers to celebrate her life:
Overberg High School released a statement confirming that the investigation has been escalated to the provincial level. In addition, the school beefed up its security services and offered counselling to all affected learners.
According to Rapport, Deveney was allegedly stabbed in the neck and chest after which she was dragged into the storage room.
IOL reports that the school was closed on Thursday for police investigations.
Heindrich Wyngaard, chair of the Cape Forum, sent a letter to police oversight and community safety MEC Anroux Marais, in which he listed several grievances:
- He said that Deveney’s mother Lida was sent to Grabouw when she wanted to report her daughter missing in Caledon.
- He stated that a senior officer from the Overberg District command unit allegedly took control of the crime scene before the local police could conduct their investigation – despite the presence of the local station commander.
- The scene was allegedly ‘cleaned up’ and neither the person who discovered her body nor the person whose bakkie her cellphone was located on were questioned right after.
Wyngaard added that many of the learners, especially female learners now felt unsafe and that their parents are worried about the school’s security cameras not working properly.
‘I urge the South African Police Service to prioritise this investigation and to do everything within their power to bring the perpetrator of this heinous crime to justice,’ said Mary Liebenberg, Mayor of Theewaterskloof Municipality.
‘This is not just an attack on one innocent girl, but on the very fabric of our community and the values we hold dear.
‘I also appeal to the members of our community to stand together in these difficult times. I ask that anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and assist the authorities in their investigation. Justice for Deveney Nel will only be achieved if we all work together,’ she added.
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Picture: Hoërskool Overberg / Facebook
