Picture: The crime scene at Rustenburg Taxi Rank, where a learner was stabbed to death/Screengrab
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Art, Culture, Sport and Recreation said it condemns the stabbing and killing of a learner at Rustenburg Taxi Rank on Friday. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Paul Sebegoe said it is concerning that, the schools around Rustenburg have been infested with gangs and there is rapid violence.
“Our places of learning should not be fields of violence, where our learners are involved in gang activities. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of a learner from Rustenburg High School, who was allegedly stabbed and killed by another learner from an opposite school.
“The incident has caused trauma across the affected schools. We would like to send a message of condolences to the affected family, fellow learners, and the community at large. We would also like to thank the South Africa Police Services (SAPS) for quickly arresting the suspect and we call for calm in our schools,” he said.
Sebegoe further said, the committee will engage the North West Department of Education on ways of curbing gangsterism in schools and hope that the situation remains calm.
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Meanwhile, a learner (19) is expected to appear at the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court for murder and attempted murder. The suspect allegedly stabbed and killed a Grade 11 learner, Lethabo Sibanda (18).
It is alleged that on Friday, at around 15:45, police received a complaint about the stabbing incident. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found members of the community gathered around the motionless body of Sibanda covered with a blanket.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was stabbed with a sharp object on his throat. According to bystanders, the victim was a learner from a High School in Rustenburg and he allegedly fought with another pupil from the other school, who in turn, recruited a group of other learners to attack the victim’s group.
“The two groups allegedly gathered at the Bus Rank leading to a fight and eventually the stabbing of the victim. He was later certified dead at the scene and another learner, who was also stabbed was transported to a local hospital by the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS).”
Tselanyane further said, the suspect fled the scene after the incident but was later traced and arrested. He added that the suspect is expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 5 June 2023 facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Tselanyane also disputed allegations that, the second learner who was ferried to the hospital died this morning. He said, in fact, the learner is alive and he was discharged on Sunday.
“However, this morning, he did not feel well and he was rushed to the doctor for medical attention,” said Tselanyane.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police in Rustenburg for their swift reaction that resulted in the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder.
The Guardian 