A 17-year-old male appeared in the Koster Magistrate Court today, Monday, 20 May 2019, for the alleged murder of a 8-year-old. SAPS NW confirmed that Police in Koster are investigating a case of murder following an incident wherein a 17-year-old learner allegedly assaulted a fellow learner. 

“It is alleged that on Friday, 10 May 2019, a 17-year-old learner at Kgalagatsane Primary School in Reagile Location, near Koster assaulted an eight-year-old learner within the school premises.  According to information available at this stage, the 17-year-old, attacked a group of learners on the stairs at the school. While the other learners managed to run away, the eight-year-old was caught, beaten and pushed downstairs.  The perpetrator then allegedly followed and further assaulted the victim.” Confirmed SAPS NW Spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane.

According to information at the police’s disposal, reports suggest that although the victim was limping, he did not report the incident either to educators or his mother. “It was only Monday, 13 May 2019 when the mother decided to go and report at the school that her son was sick, that the victim related the whole incident to her. The mother then went to the school to report that her son was sick allegedly due to the physical attack he endured.” Tselanyane elaborated.

The matter was eventually reported to the police and a case of assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) was registered for investigation.  The victim was then taken to hospital where he was admitted after it came out that his leg was fractured.

According to Tselanyane, the police were informed in the evening on Thursday, 16 May 2019 that the victim had passed on at the hospital.  As a result, the suspect was arrested for alleged murder.  He was released to his parent(s) for preliminary enquiry and assessment by Social Workers in terms of the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008).

-The VIP Team

-SAPS NW