Our communities are becoming increasingly dangerous due to a rise in gender-based crimes. Almost every day, there are reports of murders and rapes. Palesa Malatji never returned home after leaving for school.
On May 25th, 2023, Palesa Malatji, a 17-year-old grade 12 student from Soshanguve was sexually assaulted and murdered.
- Palea Malatji never returned home after leaving for school.
- She was sexually assaulted and murdered.
- Palesa’s lifeless body was found near Echibini Secondary School.
- She was a 17-year-old grade 12 student at Ntsako Secondary School.
It is reported that she was last seen on Thursday evening after attending matric extra classes but never returned home that day.
After her disappearance, Palesa’s lifeless body was found near Echibini Secondary School. This left the community devastated.
“There are no words to express how we feel as a family. We have lost a very bright child. I believe that her perpetrators must feel like achievers. However, they must know that we are very heartbroken, especially her mother who struggled so much with Palesa’s upbringing”, said Palesa’s uncle.
Palesa’s uncle said he felt led down by the police. This is because when he attempted to report the case and seek help, he was told there were no police vans available to look for his niece.
“I believe that if the police had helped us in time, we would have found her still alive”, he added.
Education MEC in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane visited Palesa’s family and the school the deceased attended, Ntsako Secondary School. On his visit, he assured that the government is now taking steps to ensure proper security for Soshanguve schools.
” Moving forward, we will make sure that Soshanguve schools, more especially high schools, will be given proper support and security to ensure all learners are safe”, said Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane.
The burning question for community members is fear of murder or sexual violation and they seek justice for Palesa.
