Phoenix school pays tribute to slain classmate

A MOVING poem and a prayer for strength is what the children of Esselen Heights Primary School have offered the grieving family of Rinaldo Elijah Kubair.

Grade 2 pupils and staff at the school in Phoenix are still struggling to accept the tragic death of their classmate.

Tomorrow marks two weeks since the 7-year-old was strangled, allegedly by his father, Pravin Kubair, 29, in revenge over a domestic dispute.

SAPS spokesperson Lieutenantcolonel Thulani Zwane said police found the suspect roaming the streets of Caneside in the early hours of the morning.

He had been carrying the child’s lifeless body, followed by a 4-yearold girl, who allegedly witnessed the murder of her brother. Kubair was arrested. On Friday, pupils and staff of the school were in a solemn mood as they gathered for a memorial in honour of Rinaldo, who stole their hearts with his jovial spirit.

His teacher, SD Maharaj, described him as a joyful, bright pupil and said she could not believe he was no longer with them.

She recalled: “It was on the Friday before his death that I noticed how beautiful his handwriting was, and I told him to try finish his work before the weekend, and he said ‘yes ma’am’. That’s the last time I saw him.

“The kids are traumatised because they’ve come to learn about the death of their friend, and they’re used to knowing that a parent is a person who would protect them,” Maharaj said.

She said it was tragic when supposed pillars of protection were harming young people.

In 2015, a 3-year-old girl dubbed “Baby X” by the media died in Chatsworth following years of torture, allegedly by her mother and grandmother.

In the same year, 9-year-old Shahiel Sewpujun was murdered by his aunt and grandmother in Phoenix.

Esselen Heights Primary School principal, Vicky Naidoo, said a small amount of money had been collected to hand over to Rinaldo’s family members as a token of assistance.

Kubair’s bail application has been set for June 8 at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.