The body of a Grade 2 pupil has been found in bushes in Ekangala, Tshwane, the department of basic education in Gauteng announced on Friday.
This news comes as the nation is still reeling from the shock of the murder of a grade one pupil in the North West.
“The deceased learner was found facing down and wearing his school socks. The learner could not be identified due to the extensive injuries on his face,” said the department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona.
The child’s body was found on Thursday afternoon.
Police spokesperson Constable Connie Moganedi confirmed the finding.
“The police were alerted of the child’s body by a community member who is also a cattle herder.
“Police and [an] ambulance rushed to the scene”, but the child was already dead and had “a lot of injuries”.
Moganedi said a murder investigation was under way.
Parents were called to a meeting at the primary school in an attempt to establish who the child was because no-one had told the school that a child was missing, the department said.
“One parent said the deceased learner was her child because of the clothing; however, the family will only be able to identify the deceased learner at the Bronkhorstspruit mortuary today [Friday],” said Mabona.
He added that the department’s Psycho Social Unit had been sent to the school to provide counselling to the school community.