Social development officials in Sekhukhune, Limpopo have called on parents to take an active interest in their children's schooling. This follows the murder of three pupils in the area whose bodies were found weeks after they had left for school.
Eight-year-old Themba Ngomane, his nine-year-old sister Njabulo Ngomane and their neighbour Katlego Sibande were last seen in a white Avanza on 31 August. Their bodies were found a week later in the Mohlabetse River.
It has also been reported that their parents later found out that the learners had not been attending school for two weeks before they were killed.
Limpopo's education officials have said that the tragedy could have been avoided if both the school as well as the parents played their role.
Representative of the provincial education department, Johanna Mabena added that there tends to be a challenge faced by principals, namely that they usually end up being forced to relax school policies in a way that suits parents.
It has also been found that the three children were last seen in a White Avanza, and taxi drivers in the community have vowed to find the owner of the vehicle.
What I'm saying is we are coming, we will wait on the police but to you who is doing this we are coming to you because this car is a problem to us, because it messes with our industry, not long but very soon we will find this car.
The families of the deceased have since opened a case of murder and government officials have advised parents in the community to always be alert of their children's whereabouts.
