The case against a 13-year-old learner accused of stabbing two 14-year-old learners at Helderberg High School in Somerset West last week has been postponed to 14 December 2026.
The minor appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Helderberg High School has since expelled the learner and arranged counselling and support for all learners as they prepare to write their final examinations.
The minor was arrested on Friday morning, 23 October 2026, and was facing two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. However, Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed that the minor appeared on attempted murder charges.
According to Somerset West police, the 13-year-old allegedly confronted four other learners before stabbing two of them with a knife. The circumstances leading to the incident have not been confirmed.
“According to reports early this morning (Friday, 23 October 2026) at about 07:45 a 13-year-old Grade 8 learner confronted four learners. He was armed with a knife and stabbed two of the learners with the knife.”
The two victims were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
*This article has been updated to reflect the latest on the case.
