The Free State Department of Education has dismissed claims that the brutal killing of a Gr. 9 learner, Kabelo Chaka (16), occurred within the Qwaqwa-based Nkhobiso Senior Secondary School’s premises, as implied by a voice note circulating on WhatsApp groups.
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department, said the message in the voice note was false, pointing to findings supported by the police.
He confirmed three fellow learners were in custody following their arrest as prime suspects regarding the gruesome killing of Chaka.
“Contrary to the rumours, 16-year-old Kabelo Chaka was allegedly killed by three gr. 10 learners of the same school, approximately 720 meters away from the school at 18:30. The police have confirmed that the incident did not occur on school premises and that there is no evidence of prior convictions for murders involving the alleged perpetrators, as suggested in the voice note,” said Ndaba, adding the false voice note was troubling due to incorrect facts.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the police, said probing revealed Chaka was stabbed with an unknown sharp object.
“The deceased has stab wounds to his body, and his corpse was discovered by a passer-by at about 22:00 on Tuesday, 22 October,” he said.
Mophiring said suspects Thabo Mohlominyane (18), Tumelo Lethetsa (18), and Teboho Mokoena (17) are remanded in custody following a brief appearance in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court on, Monday, 28 October. He said the trio disappeared from their homes the day of Chaka’s murder and they were absent from school until they handed themselves over to the police following an intensive search.
Mophiring said the police investigations will entail the motive for the murder. He said according to information received, the trio apparently had a quarrel with Chaka at school regarding sweets he was selling.
Chaka’s funeral will take place tomorrow – Saturday, 2 November.
