Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Minister of Education.

I am deeply shocked and grieved by the news that about midnight on Friday a security guard at the Wellington Youth Care Centre was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old female inmate of the Centre.

On behalf of the WCED, I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this fatal assault.

The girl was one of a group of four learners who had earlier broken out of the Centre to visit a shebeen. Two have been arrested, and the decision as to what is to happen to them next lies with the South African Police Service and the courts.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is investigating this incident at the highest level and will take appropriate action to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again.