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South Africa Closes 16 Schools After Violence

Sixteen schools near Cape Town, South Africa, have been closed after a spike in gang violence led to the death of a teacher.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's Western Cape education ministry says it has closed 16 schools near Cape Town for two days because of a spike in gang violence. One man was shot dead in broad daylight.

Aysha Ismail said Thursday her son was shot in an area in Manenberg where children play every day. Fellow members said he was a part of the gang called the Americans.

Ministry spokeswoman Bronagh Casey said the decision to close the schools was made after teachers said they fear for their safety. She said a caretaker at one of the schools died after being shot weeks ago, and a stray bullet from gang violence hit a primary school around that time as well.

Ismail says greater police presence is needed to curb violence in Manenberg.

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(Photo: Greg Marinovich/Getty Images for Unilever)

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