THE memorial service of murdered schoolboy Gerdo Karelse took place at Beaufort West Secondary School yesterday.
On Monday, police in the town found his naked body in a pool of blood in their holding cells. He had been viciously attacked.
He had been held in a cell with 29-year-old Zuko Mqungquthu, who had been arrested on June 24 for domestic violence.
Karelse was arrested after getting embroiled in an altercation on leaving his mother's wedding reception on Saturday.
The Beaufort West Secondary School pupil was described as a quiet, gentle young man by his teacher, Gaber Thopps.
“We are hurt by the loss of one of our learners and we are coming together as a community to support his mother and extended family.
"This is a difficult time for all of us and there are no words to describe how I feel right now," said Thopps.
Sannie Wyles, the distraught mother of Karelse, said she had been deeply touched by the support from the greater community.
“This was meant to be a joyous time as I had just got married. Now I am mourning the loss of my boy.
"The police showed us the empty cell and I saw all the blood. What kind of a person does that to another human being,” said Wyles.
She said she had not been to identify the body, as the post-mortem was still being performed.
Ipid spokesperson Robbi Raburabu said they were waiting for the findings of the post-mortem and would be investigating the incident at Beaufort West police station.
“The forensic findings will take time and will be included in our investigation. We will look into procedures relating to detainees, and if hourly checks were conducted during their incarceration,” said Raburabu.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said Beaufort West police had opened a murder docket following Karelse’s death.
“Police officials visited the cells on Monday at 6.15am and discovered the body of the 18-year-old Gerdo Karelse in the cells."
Pojie said the suspect had appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court yesterday.