Grade 11 Pupil Stabbed to Death Outside School by Two Fellow Students
A Grade 10 student was stabbed and killed by two fellow learners moments after classes ended, in a shocking incident that has left the Tshwane community reeling with anger and grief.
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Fatal Attack as Learner Was Boarding Bus
Sixteen-year-old Lethabo Mokonyane Matula was attacked just after school, moments before he could board a bus home.
According to police reports, one of the suspects held Mokonyane Matula while the other stabbed him twice in the stomach with a sharp object.
The two assailants fled the scene, leaving the severely wounded teenager behind. He was rushed to a nearby clinic but succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
Suspects Arrested and Remain in Custody
According to Kaya959, police arrested twenty-year-old Mlehalinye Montasi and 19-year-old Kgotlhello Mathabatha in connection with the killing. The duo appeared before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court last week, facing a charge of premeditated murder.
Their case has been postponed to 7 July 2025 to allow for a Schedule 6 bail application. Until then, they will remain behind bars.
Community and NGOs Demand Action
Mokonyane Matula’s death has ignited outrage among parents, civil society organisations, and education advocates. Many have condemned the violence that continues to plague schools and have urged authorities to take swift action.
Authorities Launch ‘Safe Schools Protocol’
In response to the tragedy, Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu unveiled the Safe Schools Protocol. The collaborative effort between the Department of Basic Education and the South African Police Service aims to bolster safety measures on school premises nationwide.
Final Farewell
On Saturday, 28 June 2025, Mokonyane Matula was laid to rest at his family home in Tshwane. Mourners gathered to pay their last respects to the young learner whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.