'A vibrant young leader': Pretoria school salutes learner murdered in Mamelodi hostage tragedy
Hoërskool Silverton in Pretoria has expressed devastation following the murder of 18-year-old Grade 12 learner Keitumetse Mashego, who was killed in a deadly hostage standoff in Mamelodi East on Tuesday.
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Hoërskool Silverton in Pretoria has been left devastated after the death of 18-year-old Grade 12 learner Keitumetse Mashego, who was killed in a deadly hostage standoff in Mamelodi East on Tuesday.
In a notice of bereavement, the school described Keitumetse as “a vibrant, outspoken young leader – actively involved in school activities and extramural programmes – who showed a keen interest in the development of the school and in the growth of others; a true Silvie learner.”
Headmaster Patrick Mathibedi-wa-Medupe said, “On behalf of the school community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Mashego family during this difficult time. We kindly ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy as we mourn together.”
The Grade 12 learner, who was preparing for his final school exams, was the nephew of Constable Thapelo Mashigo – the 32-year-old officer who sparked a 16-hour hostage drama that has stunned Mamelodi.
IOL previously reported that the hostage incident began at around 8 am on Tuesday when police responded to a family dispute in Buffer Zone, Mamelodi East. Witnesses said Mashigo had fired two shots and was holding his 69-year-old mother and his nephew, Keitumetse, hostage.
Police negotiators worked through the day and managed to secure the release of Mashigo’s mother at about 11 pm. But just before midnight, two more gunshots were heard from inside the house.
During the night, Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said that before midnight, two more shots rang out.
"Upon entering the house, the STF (Special Task Force) members found the body of the constable. As they searched the house further, they discovered the body of the constable’s 18-year-old nephew with gunshot wounds,” she said.
Some family members have told journalists that the standoff may have been triggered by Mashigo’s discovery that the child he believed was his – with his girlfriend – was in fact fathered by his own brother.
His uncle, Steve Mphela, said the police constable reportedly found out that the child he had with his girlfriend was not his, but was in fact his brother’s. Relatives claimed Mashigo believed his mother had known about the affair and the paternity secret, which fuelled his anger.
Police have since opened cases of murder, kidnapping, and an inquest at Mamelodi East police station. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been informed.
Meanwhile, SAPS Employee Health and Wellness officials have been deployed to provide counselling to the Mashego family and to colleagues of the late constable.
For Hoërskool Silverton, the focus is now on helping learners and staff cope with the loss of a classmate just weeks before final exams.
“May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory,” Keitumetse's school said.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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