A 17-year-old boy made his first court appearance today, for the murder of a fellow learner in Samora Machel.
The suspect, and a 19-year-old learner, are believed to have been in a heated altercation prior to the incident – which took place on Wednesday, 15 November. That morning, the suspect allegedly stabbed the 19-year-old deceased at their school, Zisukhanyo Senior Secondary School.
The police’s Joseph Swartbooi says the suspect then fled the scene.
“Upon arrival at around 07:40, they found the body of a 19-year-old male who sustained a stab wound to his neck. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The suspect fled the scene and was later arrested.”
Police say the motive for the incident is the subject of their investigation.
Meanwhile, the Samora Machel Community Policing Forum’s Bongani Maqungwana says the deceased stabbed the accused on Tuesday, 14 November. He says the accused then returned to school the following day, attacking the deceased in a classroom.
Manqungwana says he would like to meet with Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, to address violence between learners.
“We are still preparing for a meeting with the MEC, so that we can discuss ways of curbing the killings of school kids by another one in the school premises.”
The Western Cape Education Department reportedly sent officials to the school, to provide counselling to the school community as well as additional security.
This incident comes a few days prior to the release of the National Second Quarter Crime Statistics on Friday – where Police Minister, Bheki Cele, notes that majority of murders stem from arguments and misunderstandings. These statistics, reflecting crime between July and September this year, also show that knives and sharp objects are among the most used instruments for murder.
“The majority of people killed in South Africa are murdered during arguments, misunderstandings and provocations that usually take place in social settings. Arguments, vigilantism and robbery remain the top three causative factors for murder in majority of the provinces.”
