A 12-year-old boy has been arrested after he stabbed to death his 12-year-old friend in Matsulu near Mbombela in Mpumalanga on Wednesday.
According to information related by another 12-year-old, who reportedly witnessed the incident, the trio was playing an indigenous game known as mrabaraba when his two friends began engaging in a brawl.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said during a heated brawl, one of the children apparently slapped the other.
“The one assaulted is said to have grabbed two broken beer bottles and allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times on his body.” Mohlala said.
“Thereafter, it is said that the child suspect fled the scene while the third child reported the matter to the victim’s family.
“The family immediately took the victim to the clinic, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
A case of murder was opened at Matsulu police station and the minor suspect was later located and arrested.
Provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela, was saddened by the minor’s murder.
“This incident is uncalled for and in a way, the ordeal depicts some kind of moral decay in our society,” Manamela said.
“We call on community leaders, spiritual leaders, and opinion leaders to work together with state organs in restoring the moral fibre of the society.”
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