RICHARDS Bay matriculant Philani Gumede left his grandfather’s funeral to attend a Pens Down festival organised by pupils at the Bay Hall, Alkantstrand during the weekend.
But the 18-year-old of Ntongande High School near KwaMbonambi never returned home and on Saturday morning his family, who were already in mourning, woke up to a double blow – the shocking news that Philani had been stabbed to death.
Philani Gumede, Thobani Mkhize (18) of Hluma High School and Bongumusa Mathenjwa (18) from Langalibomvu High School, were murdered at about 3am after a brawl between pupils at the after party reportedly got out of control.
A fourth victim, a Grade 8 pupil of Ntongande High School who had been stabbed more than seven times, is reportedly fighting for his life at Ngwelezana Hospital’s ICU.
