MEC Makgoe condemns Lerato-Uthando stabbing incident

By Masilo Malakwane

HARRISMITH – The Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe has condemned the killing of the 19-year-old pupil of grade 10 who was stabbed to death by another pupil of grade 11 at Lerato Uthando Secondary in Intabazwe Harrismith last week.

Makgoe said schools should be the centres of learning and teaching not a violence dens “Psychosocial support will be provided to both learners and teachers” he said.

Makgoe expression comes after reports of a pupil was arrested for murder in the school.

Nhlanhla Ncongwane, 19, succumbed to a chest wound after he was stabbed with a knife by a 17-year-old pupil following an altercation over a cellphone. It is alleged that the suspect took a knife from one of his classmates and allegedly stabbed Ncongwane once in the chest. He collapsed and died instantly on the scene.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motansi Makhele says police were led to one of the classrooms at the school where the body of the deceased was found lying in a pool of blood near the door “It is alleged that a grade 10 learner went to the grade 11 class where he found a group of boys playing with a cellphone. It’s further alleged he grabbed the cellphone and refused to give it back to the boys” Makhele said.

The pupil was arrested for murder charge, and he is expected to appear before Harrismith Magistrate Court soon under his parents’ supervision.