Rustenburg Pupils Allegedly Vandalise School After Murder of Grade 11 Pupil Killed by Another Student

• The death of a Grade 11 pupil from a Rustenburg high school has stirred a mix of emotions in many people
• 18-year-old Lethabo Sibanda was allegedly stabbed to death by a fellow student at a taxi rank
• South Africans sympathise with the students for their loss but say vandalising the school is not the answer

RUSTENBURG - The senseless murder of a Grade 11 pupil from Rustenburg Technical High School has sparked outrage on social media.

Lethabo Sibanda, 18, was allegedly stabbed to death by a fellow student at a taxi rank on Friday, 2 June.

Rustenburg pupils vandalise school over Lethabo Sibanda's murder

The young pupil's senseless murder has reportedly sent shockwaves to his school. A TikTok video allegedly taken at the school shows students running and the destruction of school property.

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The bathroom walls were sprayed painted with the words "Justice for Lethabo". Classroom windows were broken, and chairs were thrown all over the place.

According to the North West Department of Education, two groups of students were allegedly engaged in a fight when another pupil took out a sharp object and stabbed Sibanda several times.

The police were called to the scene, and after investigations, a suspect was arrested. It is currently unclear why the students vandalised the school seeing that a suspect has been arrested for the Grade 11 pupil's murder.

Lethabo Sibanda's family heartbroken over his death

Sibanda's family told the media they were heartbroken about the young man's death. They described him as a kind and loving person.

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Speaking to YOUFM 898, Sibanda's uncle, Aaron, gave an account of what happened the day his nephew was murdered.

Aaron said the 18-year-old had gone to the taxi rank to help out a friend who was fighting with a group of people. The uncle says a group of people fetched from his house and asked him to go to the taxi rank because Sibanda had been stabbed.

Aaron explained that he tried his best to help his nephew, but sadly, he died in his arms. A 19-year-old pupil has been charged with Sibanda's murder and has already made his first appearance. The case has been postponed to 12 June.

Department of Education visits Rustenburg high school following disruptions

Following the disruptions at the Rustenburg high school, the MEC for Education in the North West convened an urgent meeting with parents, the school governing body and the school management team.

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Speaking to Briefly News, spokesperson Mphatha Molokwane said the MEC labelled the disruptions at the school as gangsterism and urged parents to fight against these elements.

Molokwane explained that Sibanda's murder is still under police investigation, and the suspect has been behind bars since his arrest.

South Africans saddened by Lethabo Sibanda's murder

Degblackrose ❤️ said:

"I know it's painful to lose someone you loved, especially in such a painful way, but I don't get how vandalizing the school will benefit them."

Mikayla16! said:

"Why would you damage your learning institution if this altercation took place at the bus park? RIP for the soul lost."

taunapo said:

"They don't want to write exams ayi because destroying the school has no benefit, but I also blame June 16."

pontshorapoo

"Rustenburg is chocked every mother's nightmare I have a teen son, and this here cuts deep RIP boy"

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Thulile Bekwa UMamjo said:

"We just lost our Grade 11 pupil as well, who got shot. It is so painful.

NMU female student stabbed to death by male student on campus residence, SA outraged: “The devil’s work”

In other news, Briefly News reported that a female student from Nelson Mandela University was tragically stabbed to death at the George campus.

The woman was killed at an on-campus residence by a fellow male student on Tuesday, 6 June.

The university's management revealed that the man responsible for the tragic murder had been arrested and was taken into police custody, SABC News reported.

Source: Briefly News