Staff Reporter
The Free State Department of Education has condemned the stabbing of a 13-year-old learner by another learner in Hertzogville on Friday, saying schools should not be turned into places of violent acts.
In a statement released on Saturday, the provincial education department said Phemelo More, a Grade 7 learner from Senzile Primary School, was stabbed by a Grade 6 learner from Kegomoditswe Primary School in the same town.
“This horrific incident happened in full view of other learners and teachers,” read part of statement issued by Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba.
It said the matter is now in the hands of the police who are handling it through Child Justice Act.
The alleged killer is also aged 13.
An 11-year-old learner is alleged to have handed over the knife to the suspected killer.
Ndaba said the Department of Social Development will provide psycho-social support to learners at both schools and the affected families.
In another tragic incident, a 22-year-old Grade 12 learner stabbed a 19-year-old Grade 12 learner on Thursday during dinner at a matric camp in Bloemfontein.
Two weeks ago, a Grade 9 learner at Lerato Thando Secondary School in Harrismith was also stabbed to death by a Grade 11 learner.
The department urged school authorities to improve security at their institutions and work closely with the police to ensure better security.
“Our schools should be centres of learning and teaching, not violence dens. Our learners should at all times desist from bringing any illegal items to school,” said the statement.
In another tragic incident, the principal of Mooifontein School in Zastron, Andile Ketso, 53, was gunned down last night.
The motive behind the killing remains unknown and no arrests have been made.