Pretoria - The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has launched an investigation into the shooting of 17-year-old schoolgirl, Nontsikelelo Anna Nokela.
According to the ICD, Nokela was shot when a group of learners, who were allegedly disrupting preliminary exams, were making their way to schools in the Free State on Monday, 13 September. The learners crossed paths with three police officers, one of whom was armed with a 9mm pistol. The remaining two policemen had shotguns, the ICD said.
"The learners allegedly started throwing stones at the police officers and the officer with the 9mm pistol fired a warning shot towards the ground, which ricocheted and hit the deceased on the back," the ICD added.
Nokela was taken to hospital in a police vehicle but was declared dead on arrival. The ICD is now investigating a case of murder. No arrests have been made yet.
The first day of preliminary exams was disrupted by the Congress of South African Student Movement (COSAS) in some areas on Monday.
COSAS called on matric learners to boycott prelims, saying learners are ill prepared for the exams after a three-week gap in schooling due to the public service strike.
