Argument leads to pupil killing a boy

AN ARGUMENT between two teenagers has been identified as the reason for the fatal stabbing of a pupil by a fellow pupil at a Limpopo school this week.

The incident happened at Xihoko village outside Tzaneen when a 17-year-old pupil allegedly used a sharp instrument to stab another pupil. Both boys were pupils at Gwambeni High School.

The victim was stabbed in the left side of the neck on Wednesday afternoon.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the victim‚ identified as Wester Mhlongo‚ 17‚ was walking from school when he was engaged in a fight with his schoolmate after an earlier argument.

Ngoepe said the other boy‚ also aged 17‚ stabbed Mhlongo “with a sharp instrument” and he bled profusely.

“The victim was taken to the Nyavana Clinic where he was certified dead on arrival.”

He said the attacker was arrested and would appear in the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of murder.

Spokesman for the provincial department of education Naledzani Rasila expressed his shock at the incident.

“We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms. These types of incidents takes us a step back in our endeavour to produce future leaders,” Rasila said.

“But we believe the law will take its course.”

Provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union‚ Matome Raphasha‚ said the incident was a “wake-up” call to the department to intensify security in schools.

“Our worry is that we always talk about these things and later forget until another incident comes up.

“It’s high time we ensure that teachers and pupils are secure in schools‚” said Raphasha.

Police investigations are continuing.