Three accused of killing fellow learner to stay in custody

THREE accused of stabbing a fellow pupil to death at a school in Mossel Bay will remain in custody after their first court appearance.

The pupils, aged 17 to 18, appeared in court yesterday and are expected to apply for bail next week.

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the trio was arrested after 16-year-old Khuselo Ndanda was stabbed at Hillcrest Secondary School on Monday.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the trio attacked the deceased during first break. They took several (jabs) at the upper body of the deceased, inflicting multiple knife stab wounds.

“After the vicious attack, the assailants jumped the school yard fence at the back of the premises and ran away. The seriously injured Khuselo managed to reach the office block of the school, where he collapsed.

“Paramedics transported him to hospital, but en-route… he succumbed to the injuries sustained and was declared dead on arrival,” said Pojie.

He said three suspects were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Michaela Booysen, also a pupil at the school, who was robbed and killed early on October 6 in Dywilli Street, Asla Park.

Two suspects were released because of insufficient evidence, he said. It was believed that Booysen and her boyfriend, also 17, were on their way home when they were accosted.

“They demanded their personal belongings, after which a scuffle ensued. Michaela was hit with a pickaxe handle against her head, and she succumbed at the scene. The boyfriend was lucky to escape but was found distraught and extremely traumatised,” Pojie said.

He said the suspects fled with a pair of black Nike shoes belonging to Michaela.

Pojie said the 24-year-old suspect remained in custody and would be charged. He was due to make his first court appearance today in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, safety at schools came under the spotlight in Parliament during a joint sitting of the portfolio committees of basic education and the police.

This followed the stabbing to death of a 17-year-old Grade 9 pupil at Thuto Tiro Comprehensive School in Sebokeng, Johannesburg, on Monday.

Yesterday, a 15-year-old girl was reportedly arrested for allegedly stabbing and injuring a fellow pupil at a high school in Isipingo, Durban.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said: “Our main problem is learner-on-learner violence, which is taking place inside the classroom, so the issue of security guards and the police are welcome, but the key challenge is what learners do to each other.”