The North West Department of Education is devastated and saddened by the death of Olebogeng Tagote, a Grade 12 learner from Boikagong Secondary School, whose body was found lifeless on Wednesday, 03 June 2026.

It is reported that on Sunday, 31 May 2026, after attending extra classes held at the school, Olebogeng did not return home. The family reported her as a missing person to the police. An intensive search by the community was conducted, and her lifeless body was found on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, in Boitekong Township.

Ms Lesego Lebeko, Acting Principal of Boikagong Secondary School, said the school had lost a dedicated learner who was on track to achieve a Bachelor pass.

“As a school, we are deeply devastated by the loss of a dedicated learner like Olebogeng. She was always neat and committed to her schoolwork. In Term 1 she achieved a Bachelor pass, and she was showing that she would do exceptionally well at the end of the year,” said Ms Lebeko.

The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, condemned the senseless killing of the Grade 12 learner during her visit to the family, together with MEC Wessels Moroeng for Community Safety and Transport Management.

“Let me take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to the Tagote family for losing such a young life at this critical time. I strongly condemn all those responsible for the killing of our beautiful young girl. They have robbed us of one of the future dedicated young people our country needed to grow our economy.

“I have all the confidence in our South Africa Police Service that they will get to the bottom of this and apprehend those behind the senseless killing of our learner. This learner was showing a lot of hope and success in her studies. She was left with only four months before the writing of her final matric examination”, added MEC Motsumi.

The Memorial Service will be held at Boikagong Secondary School in Paardekraal on Wednesday, 10 June 2026. The funeral will take place on Sunday, 15 June 2026 in Magong Village near Moruleng.

“I have full confidence in the South African Police Service that they will get to the bottom of this and apprehend those responsible for the senseless killing of our learner. This learner showed great hope and promise in her studies,” added MEC Motsumi.

A memorial service will be held at Boikagong Secondary School in Paardekraal on Wednesday, 10 June 2026. The funeral will take place on Sunday, 15 June 2026 in Magong Village near Moruleng.

For more information, please contact:
Vuyo Mantshule | Departmental Spokesperson | 073 217 7335
Dr Elias Malindi | Head of Communication | 072 892 8399