Two Arrested After 19-Year-Old Stabbed in Alleged Gang Misunderstanding
- A 19-year-old boy was brutally stabbed to death after allegedly greeting members of a local gang
- Police confirmed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder
- Officers tracked the suspects to Bophelong in Turflaagte, where they were found hiding
Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.
Source: Getty Images
FREE STATE - A 19-year-old man from Freedom Square, an informal settlement outside Bloemfontein, was fatally stabbed in what police believe was a gang-related incident sparked by a misunderstood greeting.
Approached by members of a local gang
Police confirmed the arrest of two suspects following the killing. According to a police statement, the teenager had been standing outside his home when he was approached by members of a local gang. The suspects allegedly greeted him using a gang-specific gesture, and when he responded, they reportedly interpreted his reply as a sign that he was linked to a rival gang.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
The situation allegedly escalated, resulting in the victim being stabbed multiple times. Members of the Kagisanong police and emergency medical services responded to the scene, but the teenager was declared dead on arrival.
An investigation was immediately launched by the Mangaung District Operational Command Centre. Acting on intelligence-led information, police later traced the suspects to Bophelong in Turflaagte, where they were found in hiding. Two suspects, aged 18 and 19, were arrested and charged with murder. They are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, while investigations into the incident continue.
Source: Getty Images
Similar stories by Briefly News
South Africans are concerned about the rise in violence in schools after two learners stabbed a grade 9 learner with scissors on 21 August 2025 in Alice, Eastern Cape. According to IOL, the incident happened at the Enkwenkwezini Senior Secondary School in the Amathole West Education District. The two learners reportedly assaulted and stabbed the victim. The school's staff immediately assisted him and called the South African Police Service after notifying his parents.
There have been many similar incidents of violence in schools in 2025. Learners at a school in Lethabong, Tshwane East, received counselling after a grade 11 learner was stabbed to death in full view of his fellow learners on 17 June 2025. The suspect skipped school on the fateful day and waited for the victim after school hours before stabbing him to death.
The Hoerskool Roodepoort school principal was stabbed in Roodepoort, Gauteng, on 18 August while she was trying to stop a fight between learners of the school and learners of West Ridge High School, a nearby school. She was wounded on the hand and was rushed to the hospital, where she was treated.
Mpumalanga learner arrested for stabbing friend to death
In a related article, Briefly News reported that a Mpumalanga learner was arrested after he stabbed his friend and killed him on 14 August 2025.
The two learners were on their way home from school when the suspect turned on the victim and stabbed him.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
