Pupil,14 shoots boys in taxi

Cape Town-130205-Forensic investigators at Oaklands High School, where learners were shot. Reprter Xolani Koyana. Picture Jeffrey Abrahams

Cape Town-130205-Forensic investigators at Oaklands High School, where learners were shot. Reprter Xolani Koyana. Picture Jeffrey Abrahams

Published Feb 6, 2013

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Michelle Jones

Education Writer

TWO Lansdowne schoolboys are in hospital after being shot, allegedly by a Grade 8 pupil, in a taxi on the way home.

All three are pupils at Oaklands Secondary School.

A Grade 8 pupil was wounded in the hand and leg, and a Grade 10 pupil in the leg.

Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for Education MEC Donald Grant, said the shooting had not taken place in the school grounds.

“After school (yesterday), en route to their homes, two pupils were shot in a taxi, allegedly by another Grade 8 pupil who had a gun in his possession.”

Casey said the wounded pupils had been taken to Groote Schuur Hospital.

She said counselling would be provided at the school today.

“The Western Cape Education Department has provided support to the school and will have counselling services available for teachers and pupils tomorrow morning.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the two boys who are injured.”

Casey said a full report on the incident would be given to the department today.

Alaric Jacobs, spokesman for Groote Schuur Hospital, said the two boys were “stable”.

“One is 16 years old. He was shot on the right upper side. The other is 14. He was shot in the thigh.”

Emergency Medical Services spokeswoman Keri Davids confirmed the boys were picked up by an ambulance and transferred to Groote Schuur.

Police spokesman Andre Traut said the shooting had taken place at about 3pm. He said shots had been heard coming from inside the taxi.

Traut said the 14-year-old pupil had been taken in on a charge of attempted murder. The boy allegedly said he had found a 9mm gun and picked it up. He is to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today.

Last night, a team of forensic investigators were still at the school. Police tape was put up at the administration office as officers walked in and out.

When the Cape Times approached the caretaker he said he was not doing well, before telling the team to leave.

He said the principal would release a statement today.

Oaklands Secondary was recognised earlier this year as one of the most improved schools in the province, for increasing the number of pupils who passed matric well enough to enrol for a degree.

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