PUPILS and teachers at Penzance Primary School are receiving counselling after one of their own, Zarah Ramsamy, 11, was killed in a hijacking last night outside at a fast food outlet in Malvern.
The Grade 5 pupil and her family had stopped to buy a take-away supper after Zarah “shined” at her school’s talent showcase concert that evening.
CCTV footage circulating on social media showed the armed men accosting Zarah’s mom as she walked towards the food outlet. Zarah was in the family vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner.
When she saw the armed men attack her mother, Zarah sneaked out from the passenger-side of the vehicle. In a desperate bid to hide from the hijackers, she quickly got underneath the vehicle from the front.
The suspects then jumped into the vehicle and as they turned and tried to leave the parking. Her mother noticed that she was underneath.
Her frantic mother went to the front of the vehicle and tried to signal the men to stop.
The suspects stopped the vehicle and exited it. They saw the child stuck underneath the vehicle, but then jumped back in and drove off.
School principal, Hennie Havemann, said Zarah had performed in three items at the annual concert.
“She sang with the choir and danced with a group of her classmates. She also did a solo dance item. Zarah was a bright and intelligent pupil. She was well-liked by the children and teachers. At last night’s concert, she shined as she performed and was very excited to be a part of the show. We are devastated by her death. Her family is a big part of our family at the school and they show us phenomenal support. It's a devastating loss. I have no words to describe how I feel,” he said.
The school issued a notice to parents on their social media platforms this morning, to notify parents that their children would be supported by counsellors.
Funeral details have yet to be finalised.