In Brandfort, Free State, South Africa, a heartbreaking incident unfolded as a nine-year-old boy fatally stabbed a 10-year-old pupil during their journey home from school. Confirming the tragic event on Friday, May 10, 2024, Captain Stephen Thakeng, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Free State spokesperson, revealed that after a dispute erupted between the two boys from different schools, the nine-year-old returned home to retrieve a knife, then returned and fatally stabbed the other child.
According to Thakeng, the altercation occurred around 16:00 on May 8, 2024, with the nine-year-old boy retrieving the weapon from his nearby residence before carrying out the fatal act. Upon police arrival at the scene in Nomzamo Park, Majwemasweu, Brandfort, they found the 10-year-old victim, still in his school uniform, lying in an ambulance with a stab wound to his chest. Tragically, he was pronounced dead on-site.
Identified by his mother, the victim was revealed to be Kamogelo Leepile, a student at WSM Malotle Primary School. The incident, which unfolded in plain view of other students making their way home, has sparked shock and grief within the community.
The perpetrator, a Grade 4 learner from Monamodi Primary School, allegedly stabbed Leepile three times. The suspect, reportedly subject to ongoing bullying from the victim and his sibling, was taken into custody on Thursday morning, May 9.
Expressing outrage and sadness, Free State Education MEC Makalo Mohale denounced the incident as an “abhorrent travesty” and called for schools to provide safe environments for all students and teachers. Mohale emphasized the imperative role of parental involvement in fostering discipline both within and outside the school setting.
In response to the emotional toll on students and staff, psycho-social services have been dispatched to both schools to offer counseling and support during this difficult time.
