Stabbed pupil was 'loan shark'
2006-10-09 16:28
Johannesburg - A 14-year-old schoolboy fatally stabbed a fellow pupil who operated as a "loan shark" at Forest High School in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, on Monday, said Gauteng education department.
It is claimed Simon Mbhele, 19, a Grade 10 pupil at the school, ran a loan scheme.
He apparently lent money to the 14-year-old and was stabbed when he wanted it back.
Education MEC Angie Motshekga said: "This is sad because these children come from poor families and their parents sacrifice a lot to get them to school."
Her spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi said the dead boy had been stabbed four times. His parents were receiving counselling.
Police were still looking for the 14-year-old who could not be found at his parents' home in Moroka, Soweto.
Lesufi said the incident had enraged other pupils.
Found on sports field
"Before I left the school, pupils were encouraging each other to go and hunt for the suspect, but we asked them not to take the matter into their own hands."
He said police had escorted the pupils in search of the 14-year-old.
Earlier, police said the Grade 10 pupil was found stabbed to death on a sports field at 07:00 by fellow pupils.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman said: "The boy was already dead when our paramedics arrived. He had a fatal wound in the neck."
- SAPA