Man, 19, arrested for murder of two schoolgirls

A 19-year-old man, arrested in connection with the murder of two schoolgirls, appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, North West police said.

Zander Bylsma was remanded in custody until August 6, while investigations would continue ahead of a bail application, Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said.

Bylsma was arrested last Saturday shortly after the bodies of Marna Engelbrecht, 17, and Shar- nelle Hough, 16, were found at the Stella High School hostel.

The hostel matron found Engelbrecht’s body hanging from the rails of the staircase. She alerted the school management and the police were summoned.

“Upon investigation, the police discovered the second body [Hough ] with a string around her neck at the hostel’s bathroom. Subsequent to thorough investigation, Bylsma – who is believed to be an ex-boyfriend of one of the girls – was arrested,” Funani said.

Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West called on education MEC Sello Lehari to lodge an urgent investigation into the murders.

“Two young girls were robbed of their lives in an environment where they were supposed to be protected,” said Tutu Faleni, DA spokesperson on education in the province. “There are huge question marks about the safety of our pupils at schools in the province. We have urged the MEC since 2015 to conduct a comprehensive safety audit at all schools. Not only on the structures and facilities but also on the physical safety of pupils on school premises. We can only hope the ANC will now respond to these important issues with an audit and upgrade of safety at all schools.”

He said violence against women and children should be condemned and those responsible should face the law. – ANA