Community demand answers after pupil fatally stabbed at KZN school

Community members of KwaMakhutha in the south of Durban are protesting at the local Comprehensive High School.

This was after a Grade 12 learner allegedly stabbed a Grade 9 learner to death on the school premises. It is believed that the two learners previously had an altercation.

Community leader Sifiso Nzama says the students had had an altercation before.

“The Grade 12 learner was not writing his exam on Friday. We are told that he had previously threatened to attack the Grade 9 learner because they’d had a fight before. The incident took place in the presence of other learners and teachers. We are here at the school because we are seeking answers from the security. How is it that a learner could walk into the school with a weapon, kill another learner and then manage to flee the scene? We had previously visited the school as part of our efforts to eradicate crime and weapons in school. We need answers.”

Spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department Muzi Mahlambi is calling for the speedy arrest of the Grade 12 learner, who is said to be still at large.

“The perpetrator is still at large; he has not been arrested as yet. That is according to our reports that we have received. The community is outside the school protesting but they must understand that it is not the fault of the school. It is just one element that happened at the school and it’s at a time when learners are writing their exams. We are hopeful that the police are going to be able to arrest the perpetrator,” Mahlambi adds.