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Public anger over school death sentence
Sphamandla Mngomezulu (19) was handed an eight-year prison sentence. In March Mngomezulu stabbed and killed schoolmate Nqobani Ntuli (19) and injured Sanele Hlatshwayo (18) inside the boys ablution facility during school break
THE eSikhawini Regional Magistrate’s courtroom erupted with voices of disapproval on Tuesday during sentencing of a learner who killed a Grade 12 pupil at Ikhandlela Secondary School in eSikhaleni earlier this year.
Sphamandla Mngomezulu (19) was handed an eight-year prison sentence. In March Mngomezulu stabbed and killed schoolmate Nqobani Ntuli (19) and injured Sanele Hlatshwayo (18) inside the boys ablution facility during school break.
A fight broke out between two groups of boys in the morning of the fatal incident over a schoolgirl’s stole cellphone.
Police were called in to calm the situation, but the dispute intensified and continued during break time when the stabbing occurred.
Nqobani died minutes after the knife was plunged into his chest, while Sanele was taken to Thokozani Clinic and later transferred to Ngwelezana Hospital with serious stab wounds.
Sanele survived the ordeal and returned to school weeks later.
ALSO READ: SHOCKING: eSikhaleni schoolyard bloodshed
Sentence
On Tuesday, a social worker’s report was read in court before the sentencing.
In it Mngomezulu’s father and class teacher described him as a troublesome and an uncontrollable teenager who used to bunk school.
The report also revealed numerous cases of him being in conflict with other learners. Magistrate P Madida said though Mngomezulu showed no signs of remorse, the purpose of sentencing was not to ‘detroy’, but to rehabilitate.
‘This boy will serve less than eight years and come back to do the same in the community. The magistrate should have given him a heavier sentence which will serve as an example to others,’ said an eSikhaleni resident.
Community leader and former Councillor Get Mbanjwa expressed her satisfaction with the sentence, saying there was no place for criminals in the area, especially in schools.
‘The justice department has done a great job and we are happy he was found guilty, regardless of the sentence. Our children will be safe from him and go to school without fear,’ she said
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