The killing of a Gr. 6 learner by a fellow schoolmate of the Zama Primary School in Zastron has sent shock waves through the town.
Tshepo Chabedi was stabbed to death with a knife by a 15-year-old learner on Wednesday (04/05) at around 14:30.
According to Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Education, the incident occurred about 600 m away from the school premises.
He said the perpetrator, who allegedly bullied the victim on a regular basis, attempted to stab Tshepo with a spoon earlier that morning.
According to Ndaba, the principal tried to intervene, and sent the perpetrator home to get his parents so that the matter could be resolved.
Instead of bringing his parents, however, he returned with the knife he allegedly used to stab Tshepo in the chest.
Ndaba said the School Governing Body (SGB) will investigate the incident and decide on the necessary disciplinary action against the attacker.
- The boy was arrested and charged with murder. Two other stabbings involving learners were reported over the course of a few months.
In November 2021 Phemelo More (13), a learner of the Senzile Combined School in Hertzogville, was fatally stabbed by a 13-year-old learner of the Kegomoditswe Primary School.
In a separate incident, a 19-year-old learner of the Lerato Uthando High School in Intabazwe, Harrismith, was stabbed by a 17-year-old classmate in October.
