Learner (17) who is still in primary school, fatally assaulted child (8)

South African Police Service

Learner (17) who is still in primary school, fatally assaulted child (8)
Learner (17) who is still in primary school, fatally assaulted child (8)

Police in Koster are investigating a case of murder following an incident wherein a 17 year old learner allegedly assaulted a fellow learner. It is alleged that on Friday 10 May 2019, a 17 year old learner at Kgalagatsane Primary School in Reagile Location, near Koster assaulted an eight year old learner within the school premises.

According to information available at this stage, the 17 year old, attacked a group of learners on the stairs at the school. While the other learners managed to run way, the eight year old was caught, beaten and pushed downstairs. The perpetrator then allegedly followed and further assaulted the victim.

According to information received, reports suggest that although the victim was limping, he did not report the incident either to educators or his mother. It was only Monday, 13 May 2019 when the mother decided to go and report at the school that her son was sick, that the victim related the whole incident to her.

The mother then went to the school to report that her son was sick allegedly due to the physical attack he endured. The matter was eventually reported to the police and a case of assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) was registered for investigation. The victim was then taken to hospital where he was admitted after it came out that his leg was fractured.

The police were informed in the evening on Thursday, 16 May 2019 that the victim had passed on at the hospital. As a result, the suspect was arrested for alleged murder. He was released to his parent(s) for preliminary enquiry and assessment by Social Workers in terms of the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008).

The suspect is expected to appear in the Koster Magistrates’ Court today, 20 May 2019 on a charge of murder.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service