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Schoolboy killed 'after teasing'
29/05/2007 10:44 - (SA)
Die Burger
Eerste River - A pupil at a local high school died on Monday after being stabbed in the neck with scissors on school premises for the second time in about three weeks.
Moegamat Kannemeyer, 17, a Grade Nine pupil at Eerste River Senior Secondary died shortly after arrival at hospital. His dad was at Tygerberg Hospital's morgue on Monday night to make arrangements for his son's funeral on Tuesday, and wasn't home when Western Cape MEC for education Cameron Dugmore visited the family home.
"I'm utterly shocked to hear about both incidents," said Dugmore. "Schools must immediately deal with any incidents happening on school premises - whether it be bullying or violence - otherwise it becomes the norm."
He added that both scissor incidents would be investigated. "I will personally discuss it with the principal, Bernard Esterhuizen, at the first available opportunity."
Moegamat was stabbed in full view of several other learners shortly after first interval (about 10:20).
According to Kleinvlei Police Station Commander Vernon Bester, the alleged stabber was teased about his epileptic condition before the incident.
"There were apparently children who teased the learner about his condition. This apparently led to an argument after which the suspect, 17, took a pair of scissors out of his bag and the stabbing followed."
Chihaam Kannemeyer, the dead boy's mother, said she had no words. "I just want to know why nothing happened to the child who stabbed my son with scissors the first time." Apparently it isn't the same pupil who's been taken into custody in connection with Moegamat's death.
According to his mother, Moegamat was suspended from school for a week following the first stabbing. "This time there's no week's suspension, he's gone permanently," said his aunt Margaret Tee.
According to her, Moegamat was the apple of his father's eye. "His dad, Ebrahim, is broken. He's in a trance. He says nothing."
The boy was rushed to Eerste River Hospital nearby, but died shortly afterwards.
According to Bester, the possibility of gang involvement was ruled out. "It was investigated, but this was a case of inter-personal conflict."
Sadia Leonard, another aunt of the deceased, said the community would set the school straight if the principal couldn't do it. "Such an incident on school premises is unacceptable - and twice in one month at that. What else goes on there that we don't know about?"
Moegamat's girlfriend Tashnique Case, 15, said she was utterly shocked and distraught. "I don't buy the story that that child (the accused) is 'emotinally unstable'."
A case of murder is being investigated. The accused is in police custody, and will probably appear in Blue Downs Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on a charge of murder.
- Die Burger
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