Family want justice after 19-year-old’s death

The family of a 19-year-old Grade 11 learner in Lethabong informal settlement in the far east of Mamelodi is mourning his tragic death.

Lethabo Mokonyane Matula from Mamelodi Ext 11 had just finished writing his last midterm examination when he was stabbed with a knife in the back and front of his body, allegedly by a Grade 12 learner.

Matula’s aunt, Shirley Mokonyane (64), said the family was still in shock and could not believe that their son was murdered in such a brutal way.

“We are pleading with the police to do their job and question everyone who was at the scene.”

Mokonyane said the family wants justice, and the police must speed up their investigations. She said their family was heartbroken and are calling for justice for their son.

She described Matula as a person who loved technology most, not having many friends and that one could always find him playing with gadgets, either on his cellphone or laptop.

“The law and the courts must make an example with these learners and hand down a sentence that will permanently remove the suspect from society,” said Mokonyane.

She also said the government needs to do something about the safety of children at school.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the department was deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing.

According to preliminary reports, the Grade 12 learner had not attended school that day but allegedly arrived after school, just as learners were boarding their scholar transport. The matric learner allegedly proceeded to attack him just outside the school yard.

Chiloane said the victim was rushed to Lethabong Healthcare Clinic, where he was sadly certified dead on arrival.

“Law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” said Chiloane.

In response, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has dispatched a team of psychologists and the School Safety Unit to the school to provide trauma counselling to affected learners and educators, while strengthening safety interventions at the school.

“We are heartbroken by this senseless act of violence. No child should ever lose their life in the pursuit of education,” he said.

The department has extended its deepest condolences to the family and the school community during this incredibly painful time.

He said the department strongly condemns all forms of violence in and around schools, particularly by learners.

“Our schools must remain spaces of learning, safety, and hope – not breeding grounds for brutality and violence.

“Learners must understand that violence has life-altering consequences.

“Such actions will not only remove you from the classroom, but may ultimately place you behind bars,” said Chiloane.

Bongaan Ramontja from the civic organisation Soil of Africa urgently called on the GDE to take decisive action by ensuring the visible and permanent deployment of crime prevention units in township-based schools.

Ramontja said the organisation is raising the alarm over the escalating crisis of violence in these schools.

“The safety and future of our children are under serious threat, and the time for visible, consistent policing in our schools is now.

“We are giving the provincial leadership 72 hours to allocate and deploy these units in schools across affected areas, particularly in townships where school-based violence is escalating,” Ramontja said.

“Should the Department of Education fail to act, we will escalate this matter per Section 17 of the Constitution (Act 203 of 1993).

“We are heartbroken by the tragic and senseless killing of Lethabo – a young, bright soul with great potential. This is a loss not just to the family but to the entire nation. We demand immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety of our learners and educators,” he said.

He stressed that the absence of sports facilities and skills development programmes in Mamelodi is fuelling gangsterism, leaving the youth with few positive outlets for their energy and potential.

“Gangsters have become the new role models in our communities. There are no sports facilities, and government schools no longer prioritise structured sports or developmental programmes.”

He concluded that the organisation will not stand and watch while children are being killed in what should be safe learning environments.

Police spokesperson, Captain Johan van Dyk said the police are investigating a case of murder.

Van Dyk said when police arrived on the scene on the day, they were shown a 19-year-old male learner lying on his back with a stab wound in the stomach and on his back.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident happened outside the school premises at around 12:35, where the victim allegedly was on his way home with a friend when he was attacked.

Van Dyk said the victim managed to run back to school for help, and an ambulance was contacted by the staff.

“The victim was later declared dead at the Ubuntu Clinic at Lethabong,” he said.

The police are still investigating and no arrests have been made so far.

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