Tragic details of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek's death leave community in mourning

The 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek who was found on the staircase of his Swazi’s Place complex in Fleurhof near Florida on the Westrand of Johannesburg 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, 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 the term tests, Molokwane hinted that she was scared that he 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.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, Meek was found and taken to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival in the early hours of Wednesday.

"The boy was reported missing to the police on the evening of Tuesday, May 13.

The police, together with the community, conducted the search at 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 said. 

However, in the midst of 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 spiked 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.

Cape Argus