A 13-year-old Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School learner has died after being struck by a stray bullet. One of the school’s employees has told Radio 786 that Beacon Valley had been declared a Red Zone this morning due to gang shootings in the area.

She says that the girl was struck while waiting to get into her scholar transport just after 11am. She watched as the stray bullet struck the girl in the eye, which then went through her head. The girl was declared dead on the scene.

The staff member says that they immediately called all emergency services, including the police’s 10111 number. However, this service has been down for several days.

She also says that this is the first time that such a tragedy has hit the school in 30 years, despite being in a gang zone. She contends that the children are safer in the school building when gangs are running rampant in the area.