Northwood Primary School in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday held a moving memorial service for pupil Janika Mello who was found raped and murdered in her yard on Sunday morning.
Teachers, pupils and the parents of the 14-year-old girl gathered on the school’s quad where not a dry eye was left as everyone remembered the bubbly girl.
Her parents, Janine and Marlon Koopman, sat in front of the beautifully decorated stage, where purple flowers surrounded the picture of the girl everyone described “friendly and warm”.
VICTIM: Image of Janika Mello. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Her parents broke down as one of her classmates said her seat in class remains empty and she will forever be missed.
Principal Leon Jones said it was a difficult time for the school community.
“We must remember that God is with us in all we do. He will help the family and all of us to grieve for her,” he says.
An emotional Janine kept wiping away her tears and gazing at the image of her daughter.
Janika had gone out with friends on Saturday night to attend a local soccer team’s fundraising event in neighbouring Portlands, Mitchells Plain.
According to relatives, the taxi dropped the youngsters at home.
TRIBUTE: Pupils in Northwood Primary’s quad. Picture: Jack Lestrade
It is believed that while Janika was walking the few metres to her house, a group of men grabbed her and dragged her into her backyard, where they raped her and bashed her head in with a concrete slab.
Police said yesterday no arrests have been made in the case.