Community in mourning as tragic details emerge about 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek

THE 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, who was found in an undressed state on the staircase of his Swazi’s Place complex in Fleurhof near Florida on the Westrand, has been described by his class teacher as a joyful, bright spark, who excelled in his books and contributed to the overall pleasant environment in class.

His class teacher at Royal College in Florida, Katlego Molokwane, visited Swazi Complex, where the learner is reported to have died after having gone missing on Tuesday after returning from school.

Having arrived late into the first quarter of the academic year as the school was preparing for the end-of-term tests, Molokwane hinted that she was scared that the 11-year-old would struggle to adapt to his new environment.

However, with his positive attitude and bright mind he surprised his teachers and his classmates. "I'm shattered and, as a school, we are heartbroken about this loss. To think that it happened in a gated community such as this one, makes it even worse and we call on the police to pull up their socks and help us find justice," she said.

On his academic prowess, Molokwane stated: "I was worried that he would not cope as he came to us when we were about to start the first term tests and late into the term. We really thought he would struggle and would not cope, but to our surprise, he was in the Top 3, and he even won an award at the end of the term. For us as teachers, such a learner, when you get inside the classroom, you just know that your day has been made. You don't have to struggle as a teacher on what to do to be able to assist them. We cherish such learners because they just make your day easy."

The visit by community members and teachers comes as the police have opened an inquest docket after this tragic passing, which has left the community of Fleurhof fearing for the lives of their children.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, Meek, who was reported missing, was found and taken to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 May.

"The boy was reported missing to the police on the evening of Tuesday, 13 May. The police, together with the community, searched the complex where the boy is staying and where he was last seen, with no success. It is reported that the boy was dropped off by a scholar transport outside the complex but failed to reach his residence.

"A search was initiated by the community, and the boy was later reported missing at SAPS Florida, and a team of seasoned detectives has been established to investigate the circumstances that led to the boy's disappearance and death," Masondo stated.

However, amid the speculation, the community members who gathered outside the complex for the better part of Thursday have vowed to take the matter up with the police, as crime in the area has spiralled out of control with little to no police visibility in the area.

"This Saturday, we will gather here, and we will be marching to the Florida police station as we demand justice for Jayden.  As a community, we can't sit around and do nothing while the crime situation in this area continues like this," he said.

Other members of the community also decried the rising levels of crime, with one resident stating: "As a mother and a single parent, we are worried about crime. We do not have a police station of our own, and we also do not have a clinic of our own. We are forced to travel to Florida or Meadowlands to access police and healthcare services. In essence, our children are not safe," she said.