SEBOKENG. – A Psycho-Social Support team from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had to be dispatched to the Thandukwazi Secondary School in Zone 6 after a 17-year-old learner was stabbed to death outside the school premises on November 3.

It is said that on the day, at approximately 12:30, the victim (the deceased) was at school when he approached a friend and disclosed that he had been assaulted.

The assault was apparently related to initiation school practices.

The suspect appeared highly aggressive.

The friend, it is said, then questioned the victim regarding the whereabouts of the perpetrators, and he indicated that they were still on the school premises and were preparing to exit the school yard following the conclusion of their examinations.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Thulisile Msibi said that, observing that the suspect appeared highly aggressive, the friend reported the matter to the educators.

“However, the educators dismissed the complaint, instructing the students to settle their dispute outside the school premises,” Msibi said.

The matter, it is believed, then took a turn for the worse when, upon exiting the school yard at the main gate, the victim was approached by the suspect, who stabbed him twice in the upper body.

A second witness intervened, or was present, and was also stabbed by the same suspect.

Msibi said that during the course of the attack, a second witness intervened, or was present, and was also stabbed by the same suspect.

The school principal was subsequently alerted to the incident, and he immediately transported the primary victim to Empilisweni Clinic for urgent medical treatment.

Regrettably, the first victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased during the medical examination.

“Following the incident, tracking efforts were initiated to locate the suspect at his residence in Residensia; however, he could not be found. The suspect’s parent subsequently apprehended the suspect and brought him to the police station,” explained Msibi.

The suspect, an 18-year-old, has since been arrested and formally charged.

Meanwhile, the GDE said that it is aware of the unfortunate incident where a Grade 11 learner was allegedly stabbed outside school premises.

“Accordingly, our Psycho-Social Support team was dispatched to the school to provide the necessary support.  We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the school community at large, during this difficult period.”