STABBING AT EC SCHOOL OVER FOOD

One Grade 11 pupil in ICU, the other in custody

A Grade 11 pupil is fighting for his life in ICU after he was stabbed, allegedly with a sharpened spoon by a fellow pupil for his school dinner.

A suspect, also in Grade 11, has been arrested for attempted murder and will appear in the Butterworth magistrate’s court on Monday.

The incident took place at Vuluhlanga High School in Zangwa Village in Ndabakazi on Thursday.

Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the victim had a stab wound near his heart and was in critical condition in Frere Hospital’s intensive care unit.

“He was initially taken to the Butterworth hospital by teachers and was later transferred to Frere,” said Mtima.

According to Mtima the incident, which happened around midday inside the school’s kitchenette where meals are served, was an instance of bullying.

“The meal, which consisted of pilchards, veggies and pap was served late on the day because the pupils were writing their physical science exams in the morning.

“The victim and the suspect, who are both 19, were apparently teasing each other about the meal that was served when the fight broke out.

“We regret this incident. The nutrition programme is aimed to promote healthy lifestyles and good nutrition in school communities,” said Mtima.

The incident was confirmed by Butterworth police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manno atha.

“It is alleged that the suspect stabbed the victim for his school food when the learners were served their lunch,” said Manatha.

Speaking to the Dispatch on Sunday, school governing body (SGB) chair Mabini Mnguphane said from the reports they had received so far, the suspect had apparently used a sharpened spoon.

“It is alleged the suspect had picked up the sharp spoon from somewhere. It is clear this was ordinary spoon; it was a weapon,” said Mnguphane.

He said the school, which provides a daily meal for the pupils, has never been short of food.

“It is hard to get to the truth for now, as both witnesses are not here. One is in hospital and one is arrested, and they are the only ones who can tell us what really happened.”

Mnguphane said a meeting would be held on Tuesday between the SGB and the school, to try and get answers.

The provincial government provides 1.6 million pupils at no-fee schools with a cooked meal consisting of a proteinrich food, a starchy food and a fruit or a vegetable each school day.

This is not the first time that a stabbing incident has taken place in school, allegedly over food.

Last year a 17-year-old pupil at Ramotshere Secondary School in Zeerust‚ North West, stabbed his teacher, Gadimang Mokolobate‚ 24, to death, allegedly because he refused him a second plate of food.

The pupil was sentenced to 10 years in jail earlier this year.

Manatha confirmed the arrest and said they were now investigating an attempted murder case.

It is hard to get to the truth for now, as both witnesses are not here