Two teens aged 11 and 13 will appear in the Hertzogville magistrate’s court in the Free State on Monday after the murder of a 13-year-old boy.
According to police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng, a fight broke out on Friday over a soccer game that involved money.
“The fight happened outside Kegomoditswe Primary School where the 13-year-old suspect is in grade 6,” Thakeng said.
“Police were called and on arrival they found a 13-year-old boy, who is in grade 7 at Senzile Primary School, lying on the street with a stab wound to his chest.”
He said paramedics declared the boy dead at the scene.
“Two boys were arrested for murder. The knife was also seized. They were later released into the custody of their parents and are expected to appear in court on Monday.” Thakeng said.
The Free State education department said it was shocked by the incident. Spokesperson Howard Ndaba said the incident happened in full view of other pupils and teachers.
He said the department and social development officials will provide psychosocial support to the schools and families of the pupils .
In an unrelated incident, a 19-year-old grade 12 pupil was stabbed to death by a fellow learner, 22, at a matric camp in Bloemfontein, also in the Free State.
The two incidents happened two weeks after a grade 9 pupil at Lerato Thando Senior Secondary School in Harrismith was stabbed to death by a fellow grade 11 pupil .
Education MEC Tate Makgoe called on schools management teams, school governing bodies and pupils to strengthen school safety committees and activate their relationship with nearby police stations.
“Our schools should be centres of learning and teaching, not violence dens. Our learners should at all times desist from bringing any illegal items in our schools,” he said.
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