Three jailed for life for fatal stabbing of Protea North learner

Three men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 18-year-old Lerato Nchabeleng.

Urban News reported in 2024 that the Grade 11 learner was stabbed to death outside Reasoma Secondary School in Protea North on February 12, 2024.

The Protea Regional Court sentenced Mahanye Tisetso (20), Ernest Lehopo Mohloki (19) and Kagiso Phoofolo (20) to life imprisonment for the murder.

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In addition, each was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

A fourth accused, who was 17 at the time of the offence, was also convicted.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence in line with the principles applicable to child offenders.

“He [fourth accused] was sentenced to two years’ compulsory residence at a Child and Youth Care Centre, together with an effective 16 years’ imprisonment for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances,” she said.

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According to Mohlatlole, the court heard that Nchabeleng was on the school premises with a friend when accused number two, who was also his classmate, identified him to his co-accused, who were waiting outside the school gates.

The group confronted the learner and demanded his cellphone.

When he refused to hand over his phone, they repeatedly stabbed him with knives before robbing him of his cap.

“A teacher rushed him to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival,” she said.

Mohlatlole said the accused then went to Mapetla Park, where they threatened another victim with a knife before robbing him of his cellphone.

“Following the commission of the offences, two of the accused fled to QwaQwa. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested them there, while the remaining two accused were apprehended in Gauteng,” said Mohlatlole.

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During sentencing proceedings, the State argued that the offences were exceptionally serious, involving a senseless murder committed during violent robberies.

While acknowledging the relatively young ages of the accused, the prosecution submitted that their personal circumstances were outweighed by the gravity of the offences and that substantial custodial sentences were necessary to deter similar crimes and protect society.

In handing down sentence, the court found that the murder was senseless and brutal, and was committed against an innocent learner at the gate of his own school.

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The court further observed that no parent expects to receive the devastating news that their child has been stabbed to death at school. It held that, in offences of this nature, the need for retribution and the importance of deterrence outweigh the personal circumstances of the offenders.

The NPA welcomed the sentence, saying it reflects the seriousness of the offences and reaffirms the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable, particularly where crimes are committed against learners in places where they should feel safe.