The Rustenburg magistrate’s court on Monday postponed the case of Blessing Dintle Tladi, a 19-year-old who was arrested on Sunday in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Lethabo Mojalefa Sibanda at a bus rank last week.
Tladi was remanded back in custody and is due back at the same court on Monday for a bail application.
Police spokesperson Captain Sam Tselanyane said earlier in the day: “It is alleged that at about 3.45pm on Friday, police received a complaint about a stabbing incident.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the police found members of the community gathered around a motionless body covered with a blanket.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was stabbed in the throat with a sharp object and was certified dead at the scene.
The bystanders told the police that the victim was a learner from a high school in Rustenburg, and had allegedly fought with another pupil from another school, who had 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 eventual stabbing of the victim.
“Another learner who was also stabbed was transported to a local hospital by the Emergency Medical Rescue Services. The 19-year-old suspect fled the scene after the incident, but was later traced and arrested.
“He faces charges of murder and attempted murder.”
Further investigations are under way.
Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, provincial police commissioner in North West, praised the police for the arrest.
Announcing the crime statistics for a three-month period between January and March 2023 last week, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the statistic show that out of the eight murders in schools and universities, three involved a pupil killing another.
The stats further show that seven murders were committed in school premises and one at a university. Of the seven murders committed in schools, three or 33.7% involved pupils as victims and perpetrators.
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