Forest High ‘killer pupil’ granted bail

A 19-year-old learner from Forest High School in Turffontein, Johannesburg, who appeared in court after he allegedly stabbed and killed a fellow student and wounded two others has been granted bail of R5,000, News24 reports.

It was reported that the magistrate, Basimane Molwana, ordered that the suspect, Mohamed Mwela, should not interact with witnesses and must not enter the school premises until the case has been concluded.

Other bail conditions reportedly include that the 19-year-old should not leave the country and should hand over his passport if he has one.

The magistrate further ordered that Mwela should be sent to a safe location and that the Gauteng department of education should make arrangements for the suspect to write his examinations and that it should consider moving the 19-year-old to a different school.

The suspect is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.

Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said in an interview with SABC on the day of the incident: “It is alleged that the learners from Forest High School had a fight on Friday. The same learners met today at the school and the fight resumed, whereafter three learners were stabbed. The suspect fled the scene but police were able to trace him to Dobsonville in Soweto, where the 19-year-old was arrested.”

Speaking to SABC on the day of the attack, education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the attack was suspected to be gang-related.

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

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