The Independent Police Investigative Directorate, IPID, will be investigating the death of an Eastern Cape learner, who was shot during a community protest at Lubaleko Administrative Area near Mount Ayliff on Thursday.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Sibongile Soci, said another learner was wounded in the incident.
She also said that 16 people had been arrested on charges of public violence and malicious damage to property following an attack on the house of a local headman.
"It is alleged that disgruntled community members started to burn the Headman's house whilst police were on the scene. Police members tried to stop and prevent their actions but were pelted with stones and police vehicles were damaged," Soci said.
"Police arrested the suspects. Rubber bullets were fired and the crowd dispersed. Police then left the scene," she said.
Soci said "it was at this stage that school children allegedly left their classes at Lubaleko Senior Secondary School in support of the protest by community members. Police members reported hearing gun shots and realised that the shots came from amongst the group of people who were at side of the Headman's house."
"Upon investigation, it was found that one learner was fatally wounded and another wounded and taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition," she said.
"The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been informed and went to the scene."
Soci said the arrested suspects will appear in the Mount Ayliff Magistrate Court soon on charges of arson and malicious damage to property.
