RUSTENBURG LEARNER’S STABBING CASE CONTINUES IN COURT

Tsitsing/ Rustenburg – The tragic case of the 18-year-old Rustenburg Technical High School (HTS) learner who was fatally stabbed at the Rustenburg Taxi Rank in June 2023, has left the community in mourning.

The learner was laid to rest in his home village of Tsitsing, Rustenburg, after the fatal stabbing on Friday, 2 June 2023. The altercation between two groups (gangs) of learners resulted in the victim being fatally wounded with a sharp object. In response to the tragedy, HTS learners took to the streets in protest, expressing dissatisfaction with the safety conditions at their school. Reports indicate that the learners caused a disturbance, including vandalising school property.

In the aftermath of the incident, the North West Department of Education MEC, Viola Motsumi, visited the family to offer her condolences and urged the community to work together to ensure the safety of students. “We call upon parents and guardians to join hands with the police and educators to ensure that schools remain a safe environment,” she said during her visit.

The case has been under police investigation since the incident, and the suspect, who was arrested in connection with the stabbing, has appeared in court several times. 

NPA communications officer West Sivenathi Gunya confirmed that the most recent court hearing, scheduled for Thursday, 16 January 2025, was postponed due to the illness of the accused’s attorney. The case is now set to resume on Thursday, 30 January 2025.