Jub Jub protester killed by truck

2010-03-18 14:22

Johannesburg - A Grade 10 pupil was hit and killed by a truck while on his way to protest outside the Protea Magistrate's Court, the Gauteng education department (GDE) said on Thursday.

GDE spokesperson Charles Phahlane said the accident happened on Wednesday morning.

"They had just left Thutolore Secondary when this incident occurred. It is alleged this happened when these learners were on their way to Protea Magistrate's Court," he told Sapa.

"The police are still investigating but it is believed that he was climbing onto the truck and then slipped and fell. The child was run over by the truck outside the school premises."

The boy was a student at Anchor high school in Meadowlands.

Phahlane said officials from the department had visited his family to convey their condolences.

Protest

The department was "aware of the situation of some learners supporting their fellow learners outside court and we are addressing it", he said.

Student protests turned violent outside the court on Wednesday as children vented their anger against hip-hop artist Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye, and Themba Tshabalala.

They face murder charges after four school pupils were killed and two critically injured when the two crashed the Mini Coopers they were allegedly racing in Soweto, Johannesburg, on March 8.

- SAPA