News24 | Two pupils charged in Pretoria schoolboy’s fatal stabbing appear in court

Lethabo Mokonyane, 19, was killed allegedly by fellow pupils outside Lesedi Secondary School in Pretoria.

• Two Lesedi Secondary School pupils appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court for the alleged premeditated murder of Grade 10 pupil Lethabo Mokonyane.
• The brutal incident, suspected to stem from bullying, occurred on 17 June outside school premises in Donkerhoek, Pretoria.
• The accused, wearing balaclavas and absent from school on the day, allegedly attacked and stabbed Mokonyane, who succumbed to his injuries hours later.

Two pupils from Lesedi Secondary School made their first appearance in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with the murder of fellow pupil Lethabo Mokonyane.

Mlehalinye Montasi, 20, a Grade 12 pupil, and Kgotlhello Mathabathe, 19, a Grade 10 pupil, are charged with premeditated murder for allegedly stabbing and killing Mokonyane.

The incident, believed to stem from a case of bullying, took place on 17 June outside the school’s premises in Donkerhoek, Pretoria.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Mokonyane, a Grade 10 pupil, had finished writing his exams when he encountered the two accused on his way to the school gate.

“[They] started fighting with him. One of the accused persons apprehended him while the other stabbed him with a sharp object twice in the stomach and on his back,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

“Thereafter, they ran away. Mokonyane was then taken to hospital, where he died a few hours later.”

READ | ‘Who is next?’ Murdered Pretoria pupil’s aunt urges action against school bullying

According to a report by the Gauteng Department of Education, the two pupils who allegedly stabbed Mokonyane were wearing balaclavas and had not attended classes on the day.

Mokonyane’s aunt had previously attributed the stabbing to bullying, calling on pupils to speak up when they are being targeted.

The court case was postponed to 7 July for the bail application.

Mahanjana said the state intends to oppose their release on bail.