Grade 12 Learner Allegedly Murdered by Fellow Student at Matric Camp in Limpopo, SA Heartbroken

• An educational matric camp turned into a tragedy for Mpirwabirwa Secondary School pupils
• A fight between two learners led to the death of one of the pupils, William Ngoepe, after he was struck on the head
• The Department of Education in Limpopo has deployed social workers to the school to offer psycho-social support

MOKOPANE - The Mpirwabirwa Secondary School in Limpopo was struck by tragedy when a Grade 12 learner was reportedly murdered by a fellow pupil.

Matric learner killed while on school trip

In a statement issued by the Department of Education in Limpopo, it says Willem Ngoepe was on school matric camp with other learners when another student struck him on the head on Thursday, 17 August.

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The next day, Ngoepe died as a result of the injuries he sustained due to the head blow.

According to IOL, Ngoepe and the other learner were fighting when he was stuck with an object.

The department's spokesperson, Mike Maringa, says a team of social workers will be sent to the school to offer psycho-social support to the learners on Monday, 21 August.

The department has also sent condolences to the Ngoepe family on the tragic loss of their son.

The alleged murder has been reported to the police for further investigation.

Educational psychologist gives insight into the impact of the tragic death

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Educational Psychologist Nicola Buhr shared her expert opinion on how the school pupils could have been impacted by the tragic alleged murder of their classmate.

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Buhr explains that this incident will most likely impact learners differently, and they would need psychological intervention such as counselling. She added that learners explained that they could experience feelings of anger, shock, anxiety, and so much more.

"Common reactions to witnessing violence include shock, disbelief, anger, guilt, grief, feelings of helplessness, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, horror or fear. This can be temporary or long-lasting in that it can also alter your perception of the world.

Instead of feeling safe and protected on a school trip, they may now feel that they are no longer safe and that life has no or little meaning. The closer you are to the individual who passed away, the higher the probability of experiencing more negative effects," said Buhr.

Buhr added that although the Department of Education previously said it would address the increased violence in the school system, she said parents and the community to push for the implementation of interventions.

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South Africans saddened by tragic death of matric learner

Elizabeth Blanche said:

"Is there really no place where children can try to be kind and loving towards one another? Why must violence be the centre of it all?"

Joseph Manana said:

"Condolences to the family and the school. May his soul rest in peace."

KM Ngwepe said:

"May his soul rest in peace."

Tshepo Seodisa said:

"May his soul RIP and condolences to the family."

Grade 11 student stabbed to death during fight

Briefly News previously reported that violence and disorder have infiltrated South African schools. This is after a 20-year-old Free State learner was stabbed to death in Rocklands on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, in what authorities believe is a gang-related feud.

According to the Free State Department of Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba, the incident occurred when a violent fight broke out between a group of boys.

Source: Briefly News