Members of a family in Soshanguve are reeling in pain after their 17-year-old daughter was recently raped and strangled to death on her way back from a school in Pretoria.

Palesa Malatji, a Grade 12 learner at Ntsako Secondary School, did not make it home from extra classes at the school on Thursday afternoon.

Her lifeless body was found the next day – sexually violated – next to Echibini Secondary School in Soshanguve after her grandmother begged police to search an overgrown area.

Neighbours had reported hearing screams the previous night.

Malatji was the firstborn child in her family and leaves behind two younger sisters.

Family spokesperson Thabiso Malatji says: “We are really pained by this sudden, tragic incident.

“It’s not easy to lose a child, more especially when they are a fraction away from ending their secondary schooling and the big opportunities that await them,” says Thabiso.

Thabiso says Palesa’s mum is inconsolable.

According to Thabiso, Palesa was on her way back from a learning session at Ntsako Secondary School. “We suspect that along the way, the tragic incident occurred as evidence indicated that she was also raped.”

The incident took place a few kilometres from the house, school, and local police station.

He says, according to postmortem results, Palesa was strangled to death and raped.

“Palesa was a smart young woman who really enjoyed educating herself through books. I recall just how excited she was; she wanted to further her studies in the healthcare system.”

Thabiso adds that Palesa was adamant about pursuing studies in the pharmaceutical or medical field.

He says crime was rife in the township, and that children are not safe.

“Police have failed me in Soshanguve, and they have become increasingly incompetent.”

Thabiso says when the family went to the police station to ask for help in finding Palesa, they were told that the police had no vehicle available.

He says he went back to the police station the next morning at 08:00 to ask the police to join the search again, to no avail.

“I returned later with Palesa’s grandmother, who blocked a SAPS vehicle at the gate to demand it partake in the search.”

Thabiso says the grandmother insisted police search the bushes from where screams had been heard the night before, and that is where the lifeless body was found.

He says he was unsure if justice and closure would be brought to the family.

“Our police system cannot be relied on, especially if I was failed on Thursday in seeking Palesa.”

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he was concerned with the learners that picketed outside the Soshanguve Police Station over safety concerns.

He says the department would ensure action was taken around safety.

Chiloane yesterday visited the school and family to pay his respects and condolences.

He said the department was deeply devastated by this gruesome incident.

“We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and school community. We will be dispatching our psychosocial support to the school and family. We call upon the police to urgently arrest the perpetrators of this unspeakable crime,” he added.

Chiloane said security personnel could possibly be dispatched to patrol schools in high-risk areas.

“We are looking to intensify the safety strategy and procure patrollers.”

He added that the department had rolled out a pilot project in 35 schools where CCTV cameras and a command centre were stationed to assist in crime intervention.

“We have 275 high-risk schools in the province that will also be part of this project.”

Chiloane said the premier’s panic button and warden interventions would form part of the school safety regime.

“They will be part of safety committees at schools. We have a safety plan in place. We need to look at the planning and implementation thereof.”

He added that the plan would look at broad issues concerning safety in and around schools.

“We are working around the clock to ensure sufficient support for the schools that we have identified.”

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirms that an investigation into rape and murder is ongoing.

“No suspect has been arrested as yet, and police are on the ground following up on leads received,” adds Nevhuhulwi.