Alexandra learner charged with murder for school stabbing

A 15-year-old learner appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates Court for a preliminary enquiry on Wednesday following the stabbing and killing of a learner at a local school.

He was charged with murder, following the death of his fellow learner outside a classroom inside the Pholosho Secondary school premises in Alexandra.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said that the state had alleged that the death of the fellow learner had ensued after a fight between the accused and several learners on the school premises during lunchtime. It alleged that the accused had fetched a sharp object and fatally stabbed the fellow learner. 

“The learner was remanded in custody at a Child and Youth Centre until 8 September 2021 when the matter will be heard in the Child Justice Court,” Mjonondwane said.

Gauteng Education MEC

auteng Education MEC, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, on Monday condemned the stabbing of the Alexandra school learner.

The Gauteng Education Department said in a statement that the grade eight learner had allegedly been stabbed by a fellow learner on the school premises on Monday 30 August 2021.

The fatal incident is alleged to have occurred midday when the school’s disciplinary committee was dealing with a fight that had involved another three learners. In the midst of that intervention, it was reported that a learner was allegedly stabbed to death by another learner outside a classroom. Emergency services were immediately contacted to attend the scene, however, the learner was certified dead upon the arrival of paramedics.

The education department said that its psycho social team would support the school, the victim’s family and all others who had been affected by the incident.