Tensions are high in Musi village, in Nongoma, KwaZulu Natal, following a tragic incident where a Grade 10 learner allegedly fatally stabbed a Grade 12 learner. Thembelihle Zondi (21) was allegedly stabbed and killed by a fellow learner on Monday. 

STABBING INCIDENTS

The incident happened at Sihlahlasenkosi High School following a faction fight over the weekend outside the school premises. KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a 15-year-old Grade 10 learner is under police guard at the hospital following his arrest for allegedly stabbing and killing a 21-year-old Grade 12 learner inside a classroom. "Reports indicate that the deceased had a fight with certain boys from a neighbouring village over the weekend and he reportedly went into a Grade 10 class with a knife in his hand, allegedly to remove certain learners from the class. A fight reportedly ensued, and during the commission, the 21-year-old was stabbed with a knife by a 15-year-old boy who was also allegedly hit with a brick or stone during the scuffle and was injured," Netshiunda said. He added that both learners were rushed to the hospital, where the 21-year-old succumbed to his injuries. "Police investigations are underway to uncover the cause of the incident. More arrests cannot be ruled out," he said.

FACTION FIGHTS

According to locals, the faction fight started at a traditional event on June 16 during the stick fighting games. Over the weekend, at another traditional wedding, the fight escalated also during a stick fight between boys and young men from Musi and Onyango villages. A learner at the school told ZiMoja that the boys from the two villages ended up fighting even after the ceremony ended. "The fights have now escalated to school even though they began outside the school. The boys have been hunting each other down, and, in some instances, some learners had to be separated from fighting. It all began with stick fighting and it has escalated to guns and knives," he said.

KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed the stabbing incident. "The report we have received suggests that the learners were embroiled in faction fights that began over the weekend and it escalated at school. We will send out officials as soon as possible to the school to investigate and also provide counselling to the learners," he said.