Police officer arrested in shooting death of South African teen during school protest

Officer arrested in death of SAfrican teen

JOHANNESBURG — South African authorities have arrested a police officer in the shooting death of a a 17-year-old girl who was among student protesters complaining that a teachers strike had given them insufficient time to prepare for exams.

In a statement Wednesday, the Independent Complaints Directorate, an independent government watchdog, said its investigators arrested the officer Tuesday after determining “the shooting was premeditated.” The investigators say the officer had earlier threatened to hurt the students if they protested

Monday’s protest in the central Free State region was among several across the country following the end of a three-week nationwide strike by teachers and other government workers. The strike was halted Sept. 6, shortly before a series of exams.