The Bruinou Scribe
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has placed schools in the Elsies River & Ravensmead areas in lockdown mode on the morning Tuesday 19 November 2024, following a shooting in which a Grade 8 learner was killed.
Grantham Jahmiel van Reenen, a grade 8 learner at Ravensmead High, who lives in Donegal Street, Connaught Estate, Elsies River was leaving his home to make his way to school when the gunshots rang out. Grantham passed away at the scene.
Two more children, school girl, 15-year-old Lulama Gabuza, and an unnamed 17-year-old boy were also shot and wounded during the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Around the same time, a few metres from the scene where the children were shot at, a 55-year-old man was also shot and wounded. He was also taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Grantham’s father Petrus Alrich told reporters that he had just said goodbye to Grantham when he heard gunshots.
“After a few seconds, I just heard the shots. When I looked out of the kitchen door, I could still see the guy shooting but I couldn’t see his face. I didn’t know it was my boy lying there.”
The distraught father only realised that it was his son after he went nearer to see who had been shot.
Shooters Cause Panic At Schools & Exams Postponed
The WCED said that the alleged perpetrators then fled into the grounds of St Andrews Secondary School, as pupils were entering the school gates, causing panic.
The department’s Bronagh Hammond: “SAPS was notified immediately and are on the scene. Our district counselling support team is also at the schools affected to provide support. The WCED examination support was also alerted immediately and measures were put in place to ensure that the grade 12 learners could write their NSC exam and that the integrity of the examination has not been compromised.”
Police Launch Man Hunt
A Media Statement was realeased by the South African Police Service Office of the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner.
A 14-year-old was killed and two other teenagers wounded after gunmen open fire randomly in Ravensmead on Tuesday morning.
Reports from the scene indicate the children were on their way to school when the shooting occurred. It is alleged that two gunmen in a vehicle disembarked in Donnegal Street and fired shots. As a consequence the 14-year-old was killed and others aged 15 and 17 were injured. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Murder and attempted murder dockets have been opened. A manhunt has since been launched for the perpetrators of the act.
Meanwhile a few metres from the scene where the children were shot at, a 55-year-old man was also shot and injured. He is currently in a medical facility receiving treatment.
The area has been bolstered with additional deployments in an effort to stabilise the precinct.
The motive for the shooting forms part of ongoing investigations. Part of the investigations undertaken is to determine if the two incidents are related.
Albeit that Connaught Estate where the shooting occurred is deemed to be part of Elsies River, it falls under the Ravensmead Police Precinct. – Ed
WATCH Elsies River Schools on Lockdown Following Shooting
According to various uncofirmed reports from within the community, and as alleged in the above News Video by Newzroom Africa, it is alleged that the police have been informed by members of the community who the suspects are, but so far no arrests have been confirmed.
Community Leaders Seek Solutions
In the aftermath of the shooting, spiritual leaders in Elsies River are arranging meetings with various role players to discuss ways of dealing with the latest flair up in gang violence in the area.
Pastor Manny Niekerk of Kunjalo Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Halt Road Elsies River who serves on local Community Spiritual Leader forums has posted an invitation to all spiritual leaders, community leader and community members of Elsies River, Ravensmead, Uitsig and Surrounding Areas to a ‘Special Strategic Meeting’ on Thursday 21 Novemner at 19:00 “aimed at addressing and combating gang violence in our communities”.
