17-Year-Old Student Stabs his Teacher to Death in Classroom

A 17-year-old South African student has been arrested and expected to appear in court today, Monday September 17th for stabbing to death his teacher in full view of fellow classmates as they were writing exams.

According to local South African media, the 24-year-old teacher, Gadimang Daniel Mokolobate, allegedly reprimanded the Ramotshere Moiloa High School student in Zeerust‚ North West on Wednesday for skipping the queue at the school’s feeding programme.

He reportedly returned the next day armed with the weapon.

“On Thursday, he didn’t come to school on time. He arrived at 11am and went into the classroom where other learners were writing exams.

“Two teachers were in the classroom invigilating. He approached the teacher (Mokolobate) who had reprimanded him the previous day and stabbed him in the chest several times,” said Elijah Mhlanga – spokesperson for National Department of Basic Education.

The boy ran away shortly after stabbing his teacher but a security guard and other students tackled him.

Local online news publisher National Helm also reports that  in March, the suspect was given a warning for coming to school in possession of knife.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old suspect will appear at the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court for charges of murder against his math teacher.

This follows an incident on Wednesday at Johannesburg’s Eldorado Park Secondary School where a 15-year-old Grade 8 pupil pulled a gun on a teacher.

He has also been arrested for possession of dangerous weapon and pointing a gun at a teacher.