An 18-year-old learner at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal has been arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly stabbed a fellow school mate on February 8.

The incident unfolded at Drakensberg Secondary School, just minutes after the principal had addressed a concern about bullying at the morning assembly.

School principal, Mr Sewlal has declined to substantiate about the details of the incident, saying that he is not authorised to speak to media and comment can be sought from the Education Department.

The department’s spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi has not responded to the Estcourt News yet.

A source from the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claims that Tuesday’s incident was not the first confrontation between the two learners, who are in grades 11 and 12.

“There was a problem between them in town previously but it was not reported to the school. On Monday (February 7), the principal was at a meeting at another school and when he returned on Tuesday, he was informed of the fight and spoke to the learners about bullying during the assembly,” said the source.

Before the learners could be addressed individually, it is alleged that while they were moving to their first classes, one of the learners stabbed the other and fled through the school fence.

The injured learner was taken to a hospital in Ladysmith with head injuries.

“The following morning (February 9) with both parents present, the principal went to the police where statements were taken,” said the source.

Police spokesperson WO Basheer Khan confirmed that the learner was arrested and appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

“He faces a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The suspect was arrested on February 9 by Estcourt police,” said Khan.

Dr Imran Keeka, DA KZN Spokesperson on Education said “I am hopeful that the MEC will act swiftly to ensure that, at the very least, at this school, the levels of accountability and safety will be enhanced. We already know that school safety in KZN is already compromised.”

One parent who wrote to the Estcourt News said that every child should be searched before entering the school premises.