The Leglaasi Nieyah Primary School has suspended its learning and teaching activities after the murder of a pupil.

12-year-old Firdous Kleinsmidt died after she was caught in gang crossfire on school premises on Tuesday. She was laid to rest on Wednesday according to Muslim rites.

The school will reopen next Monday the 5th of February.

The police arrested a suspect in connection with her murder on Wednesday the 31st of January.

It’s understood that Kleinsmidt had been waiting for scholar transport when the incident happened.

Sadly she was declared dead on the scene.

Police have roped in the Anti-Gang Unit to investigate the case.

In a media statement, the school said the teachers, and pupils will receive counselling.

The management has also asked people not to circulate videos or pictures of the incident on social media.

It also indicated that a meeting will be held next week Monday, to shed more light on what happened.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says the man will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on Friday 02 February.

“Sterling, around-the-clock investigative work by the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Bradley Schuurman who is attached to the Anti-Gang Unit led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male  on Wednesday, in Eastridge, Mitchells Plain on a charge of murder. This follows the death of a 12-year-old girl who was shot and fatally wounded on Tuesday, 2024-01-30 at about 11:20 at a school situated in Khayalami Street, Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain. The arrested suspect will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates court on Friday, 2024-02-02 on the mentioned charge”.