VANDERBIJLPARK – A college student accused of stabbing a fellow student to death with a pair of scissors will spend another week behind bars.
Sandile Magagula appeared briefly in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on October 26.
The accused faces a murder charge after the victim, Leano Mogaladi, allegedly suffered stab wounds to the chest.
According to police, Magagula went to a police station to report that he had stabbed another student with a pair of scissors.
Police rushed to the hospital where the Management Assistant student (victim) had been taken.
But the doctor on duty reportedly told officers that the student had died from his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
During Monday’s court appearance, the state indicated that it would oppose the accused’s release on bail.
Presiding Magistrate Norman Wessels told Magagula that the state needed to verify his profile and records before the matter could proceed.
“The court notes that you wish to apply for legal aid. At this point in time, the state has opposed your release on bail. The state needs to undertake a profile to verify your records, and your matter has been remanded to November 3. You remain in custody,” Wessels said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu confirmed that a murder case had been opened and investigations were under way.
Meanwhile, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), joined by some members of the South African Students Congress (SASCO), picketed outside the court during Magagula’s appearance.
Dozens of students wearing their party regalia sang and chanted outside the court, calling for the accused to be denied bail.
Speaking to Ster on the sidelines of the protest, SACO Provincial Deputy Chairperson, Nhlanhla Radebe, said, “The college community is in mourning following the brutal killing of one of our own. We are here to demonstrate to the courts and the law enforcement that the mourning society is against the accused receiving bail.”
“We are reliably informed that the accused had episodes of bullying incidents, which makes him a danger to society. We met with the local station commander to raise student concerns and made a plea that the case be engaged with utmost sensitivity,” he said.
Sedibeng College has since issued a statement on its social media pages following the incident.
“This is a deeply distressing loss, and our thoughts are with everyone who is affected. We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved family,” read the statement.
