A15-year-old has been arrested for murder after he allegedly stabbed a peer, 16, during school hours at Peddie’s Mpeko Primary school, Amathole West, on Thursday.
Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said the incident took place at 9am in the school grounds.
Soci said the boys were playing together when one apparently pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed the other in his upper body.
“He was immediately taken to the nearby clinic for medical attention where he was certified dead on arrival.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident will form part of the investigation.”
Soci said the suspect’s arrest is being handled in line with the Child Justice Act.
Eastern Cape department of education MEC Mlungisi Mvoko said in a statement: “The department has sent officials to the bereaved family to report the matter.
“The department has activated counselling for all learners and educators of the school.
“My condolences to the bereaved family and hope they will find solace in the Lord during this trying time.”
The incident comes four months after 20-year-old Anathi Baku was stabbed to death, allegedly by a classmate, at Nathaniel Pamla Secondary School, also in Peddie.
His father told the Dispatch his son was killed by a fellow classmate six months after his mother, Nontembeko Baku, was buried in March after dying from natural causes.
Eastern Cape deputy provincial commissioner Major-Gen Andre Swart called the murder “senseless”. “SAPS members will continue to operationalise the protocol entered into between SAPS and department of basic education to ensure that safer schools programme is strengthened,” he said.
Swarts said police visits and random searches would be intensified even at primary schools.
Peddie-based pupils rights group Khula Development Project founder Petros Majola called on teachers to pay more attention to pupils.
“Relentless supervision of pupils during school hours even during breaks is key in making sure our children are safe.
“Once children are without adult supervision, lawlessness creeps in.”
He also called on parents to make sure their children did not carry weapons to school...