Teen shooting 'self-defence'

2003-05-22 18:56

Pretoria - A 17-year-old youth was released into the custody of his parents on Thursday after he appeared briefly in the Pretoria juvenile court in connection with the murder of 14-year-old fellow pupil on Wednesday.

The youth, who may not be named, said in a statement handed to the court on Thursday that he would contest the State's case as he had acted in self-defence when he shot dead Paul Mokhohlola at the Mervyn Harvey Education Centre in Koedoespoort.

The youth was not asked to plead when he appeared in court, and the case was postponed to July 4 for further investigation.

In the document handed in by his legal representative Andre Grobler, the grade 10 pupil said he wanted to continue his education. He would attend a new school from Friday.

Requesting that he be released into his father's custody, he said he would not interfere with any State witnesses.

Police said on Wednesday the youth had broken into his father's safe and taken his 9mm service pistol to use in the shooting. The weapon had been recovered. His father is a police inspector.

Police spokesperson, Inspector Percy Morokane, said witnesses had indicated that the 17-year-old and Mokhohlola had fought at a local train station on Tuesday. During the fight the youth had allegedly tried to stab Mokhohlola, and had allegedly later sent him a threatening SMS.

- SAPA