Mutilated Grade 2 schoolboy could not be identified at parents' meeting

A Grade 2 pupil was found dead in bushes near his primary school in Ekangala, 18km from Bronkhorstspruit, on Thursday afternoon.

He was found face down and wearing his school socks. He could not be identified because of the extensive injuries on his face, said Gauteng department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona.

The school had to call a parents' meeting to find out who the boy was.

"One parent said he was her child because of his clothing... However, the family will only be able to identify the boy at the Bronkhorstspruit mortuary today [Friday].”

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi extended condolences to the family and the  Sikhulisile Primary School community.

The department has confirmed that arrangements have been made for Roosevelt High School matriculants to write their exams after a fire at the school on Thursday evening.

"The is unknown and no suspect has been arrested," Mabona said.

The school said on Facebook on Friday it suspected an electrical fault in the foyer had caused the fire.

A section of the school burned but none of the exam files and documents were damaged.

School principal Willie de Wet said in a letter posted on Facebook that a staff member was checking to see if the administration building was locked when he smelt smoke and saw the roof of the foyer was on fire.

The fire brigade was dispatched while the security company employed by the school used fire extinguishers to battle the blaze.

The fire brigade arrived at 9.06pm and the fire was extinguished by 10pm.

The school is asking for donations to rebuild “a part of Roosevelt’s history”.

“It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a community of caring people to assist us to get an important part of heritage back to its former glory.”