A 17-year-old Pietermaritzburg pupil appeared in court after he allegedly set alight a senior staff member’s car for reprimanding him.

The Grade 10 pupil of Northbury Park Secondary School, in Northdale, appeared at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He is facing charges of malicious damage to property, following an incident that took place last week.

According to the NPA regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the pupil was released on warning, into the custody of a guardian.

Ramkisson-Kara said the matter returns to court today.

It is alleged that the senior staff member had reprimanded the pupil for carrying a phone to school and confiscated it.

According to the report, the pupil was angered when his phone was taken and returned to school with petrol and allegedly poured it on the car before setting it alight.

In the video that went around social media showing the incident, teachers and pupils can be seen running towards the parking area while others were trying to extinguish the fire.