Article by: Dumisane Dube
A grade 8 pupil has been stabbed to death in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
It is understood the 16-year-old was stabbed in the upper body during an argument with a fellow pupil. The suspect then fled the scene by jumping the school fence.
Alexandra police spokesperson Simphiwe Mbatha says the are investigating a case of murder.
“At about 12:30 on Monday at Pholosho Secondary School a security officer alleges that she was at the school’s main gate when she saw the deceased running and falling to the ground. The deceased was stabbed by an unknown object on the left-hand side at the back by a known fellow grade 8 learner and died. The suspect ran away and has not yet been arrested. A murder docket has been opened for further investigation,” said Mbatha.
Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the fatal incident was said to have occurred at midday when the school’s disciplinary committee was dealing with a fight that involved three other pupils.
“In the midst of that intervention, it was reported that a learner was allegedly stabbed to death by another learner outside a classroom. Accordingly, emergency services were immediately contacted to attend the scene, however, the learner was certified dead upon their arrival,” explained Mabona.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyza Lesufi says the department strongly condemns the act.
“We vehemently condemn the violent behaviour which led to the death of a learner, allegedly at the expense of his peer on school grounds. It is absolutely unacceptable. The school governing body must investigate this incident and take necessary disciplinary action against the perpetrator,” Lesufi said.
Lesufi says the department’s psycho-social team would support the school, family and all affected.
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