Durban — Two Umfolozi High School pupils who remain in custody after abandoning their bail application are expected back in the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court next week.
They are to be charged with the murder of their fellow pupil who was found stabbed inside the school.
On Thursday, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said that on July 20 at 10am, KwaMsane police were called to a school where a fight had apparently broken out, and that two pupils, aged 17 and 18, had been stabbed.
“Both victims were rushed to the nearest clinic, where the 18-year-old male was declared dead on arrival. Charges of murder and attempted murder are being investigated by KwaMsane police.
“Two suspects, aged 16 and 18, were arrested on the day of the incident. They appeared before KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court on July 29 and they were remanded until August 10.”
Education spokesperson Sihle Mlotshwa said that the situation at the school was back to normal.
“The learners were fighting because of faction fights. The department met community members to try iron out the issues, and the situation is now back to normal.”
Imraan Keeka, the DA’s spokesperson on education, said these incidents in schools had repeatedly shown how feckless the school security programme was.
“It is under-resourced and ill-planned. Clearly also ill-fated and tragic because, unfortunately, there will be future victims. The response of the department, from what has been made public, is tardy, uncaring and cold.
“It is expected that the justice component will do everything possible to expedite the conclusion of their work to ensure closure for everyone.”
Keeka said that the DA would continue with its oversight over this matter and other incidents “to make sure that learners, their families, and communities are placed first”.
The Zululand Observer reported that the stabbings stemmed from suspected bullying.
Daily News