Pupil Arrested in Tragic Grade 1 Learner Murder in South Africa

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has sent condolences to the family of a Grade 1 pupil who was tragically stabbed to death at Dikeledi Makapan Primary School in the North West on Wednesday.

The unnamed pupil was allegedly stabbed multiple times by a Grade 11 pupil from Mankala Technical High School. It is believed the victim was the younger brother of the suspect’s girlfriend and was deliberately targeted in revenge after the high school couple had a fall out.

“It is alleged that the suspect apparently slept in the toilet overnight without anyone knowing he was there.

“The deceased was one of the first to go to the toilet in the morning and the Grade 11 learner allegedly repeatedly stabbed him,” said department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga in a statement.

The young boy was then rushed to the local clinic where he was later certified dead, Mhlanga said.

The principal of the school managed to apprehend the alleged perpetrator and handed him over to the police.

“It appears the suspect knew the deceased, and it is alleged that he was in a romantic relationship with the Grade 1 learner’s older sister, who also attends Mankala Technical High School with the suspect. It is believed the couple may have had a fall out and the alleged perpetrator targeted the younger brother. However, police will conduct a full investigation around the circumstance of this horrific murder,” Mhlanga said.

Motshekga said words could not begin to express the heartache caused by this tragic incident.

North West Education MEC Jonas Sello Lehari will today visit the school accompanied by the department’s Director for School Safety, Paseka Njobe.

Source: SAnews.gov.za