Learner in police custody after allegedly fatally stabbing fellow learner
ALEX – The suspect was turned over to police by his parents and is currently in police custody.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited Pholosho Junior Secondary School on August 31 where a learner was stabbed to death, allegedly by a fellow learner the day before.
The deceased is a 16-year-old male Grade 8 learner.
ALSO READ: MEC Lesufi condemns stabbing, death of Grade 8 learner
The suspect and the deceased were allegedly involved in a fight outside the classroom during breaktime. Apparently, the suspect then jumped over the school wall and returned with a sharp object and stabbed the deceased once from behind.
The Gauteng Education MEC Panayza Lesufi is expected at the school to hear first hand what happened, and also convey his condolences to the family of the learner that was stabbed. @Buti_Tsholo
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
The cause of the incident is still unknown. Panyaza is expected to address the media soon. @Buti_Tsholo
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
The stabbing is said to have occurred while the school’s disciplinary committee was dealing with a fight involving three other learners of the school.
The suspect was turned over to police by his parents and is currently in police custody. Lesufi, who spent more than an hour talking to school management, including the principal, said there was poor management at the school and there were drug and gang issues.
Panyaza says he is on his way to speak to the family of the killed learner pic.twitter.com/rn19YzsmFS
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
Maria Kgabalothage family member of the perpetrator speaks pic.twitter.com/uI33U1uK00
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
“All these things that are happening here [Pholosho Secondary] are a demonstration of the society we live in. We are not doing enough to protect our children. A school should be the safest place for children. It should not be a place where parents are called to collect a body,” Lesufi said.
“A school is not a place where we should counsel children about how to accept death, instead of career guidance.”
Lesufi later visited the deceased’s home in Alexandra to convey his condolences to the family.
Lesufi says a community leader informed him that this was not the offender's first offence. pic.twitter.com/Pcw65NEzn2
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
Lesufi says the school has a number of problems pic.twitter.com/C5Kck8CSrf
— Alex News (@AlexNewsZA) August 31, 2021
“We failed the family because their child died in our care. They want the State to go the extra-mile to assist them. It is difficult to tell a family that their child died in our care,” he said during the visit.
He also applauded the suspect’s family for turning him over to police.
Alexandra Police Station spokesperson Simphiwe Mbatha spoke to Alex News about the incident.
He confirmed that the murder occurred on August 30 at about 12:30. Mbatha said a security officer said she was on duty manning the school’s main gate when she saw the deceased running towards her and then he fell to the ground.
Mbatha added that the deceased was stabbed with a sharp object in the left hand side of his back by the fellow learner who is also in Grade 8.
“The suspect ran away…a murder docket has been opened for further investigation,” concluded Mbatha.
