A second girl has committed suicide while at school, in as many weeks.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it dispatched officials to Rhenish Girls’ High School in Stellenbosch following the death of a matric pupil in an apparent suicide.
The Grade 12 pupil is said to have taken her life at the school on Tuesday.
SAPS’ FC van Wyk said the circumstances surrounding the death of the pupil were being investigated and a death inquest has been registered.
Rhenish Girls’ High School principal Helmien Slabber said they are devastated.
“The Rhenish family are reeling with shock. The school community is very broken and our learners and staff are our first priority at this stage.
“Counselling is ongoing throughout the day and we are incredibly grateful to the WCED for their support in this,” she said.
Last Tuesday, the body of Grade 10 Scottsville High School pupil Tamar Snyman was found in the school’s infirmary.
The 15-year-old hanged herself and her body was discovered by a teacher just before 1pm.
She had left a suicide note for her family, saying she would miss them and all her friends.
Her father Arnold, 51, said things had been difficult at home as he’d been struggling to find a job for the past three years.
WCED’s Bronagh Hammond urged schools, parents and learners to call the Safe Schools Call Centre on 0800 45 46 47 before tragedy strikes.