The circuit manager of Dzindi, Ms Tinyiko Nkuzana, has urged the community and all stakeholders who have the interests of learners at heart to stand up and fight to ensure that the lives of pupils are safe, even outside the parameters of their schools. She addressed hundreds of mourners who braved the rain and walked a long distance from the main road and made sure they attended the funeral of learner Phathutshedzo Madilonga Nedambale. She was buried during an emotional funeral that was held at the Tshivhambe graveyard on Sunday morning. Phathutshedzo and younger sister Mulalo were attacked in an orchard at Duthuni not far from their home, while returning from school at Tshisahulu. Speaker after speaker called for the courts not to give bail to the arrested suspect, whom they called a psychopath who is not fit to be in the community. Nkuzana said she did not attend funerals all the time, but the nature of the child´s death and the manner in which the two were attacked made her put everything aside to come and be with the family and to give them support. She said the department was doing its best to keep pupils safe at schools, but it became very difficult for them to guarantee the safety of learners outside the schoolyard. She urged police and community policing forums to assist the department in securing the young ones, whom she described as the hope of the future, when they go outside the school premises. “Some of you have gone through this experience and some of you like pastors, psychologists and others could assist the family. Give them the necessary support while they go through this ordeal,” she said. Family spokesperson Mr Sam Rammela said as a family they were greatly saddened by the death of their beloved daughter, but were consoled by the support they got from the community. He thanked all businesses and the school who, upon hearing of the plight of the family, came to their rescue and ensured that the little girl received a dignified funeral. Community leaders aired their dissatisfaction on the running of the orchard, saying many people were falling victim to thugs in the bushy and untended orchard. They urged the owner to do something about it before they would be forced to urge the local traditional leader to withdraw it.