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Established 1991
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Learner faces serious charges
Concern rife TEBOHO SETENA
The 21-year-old learner who stands accused of stabbing the deputy principal of the Kgabareng Secondary School in Viljoenskroon will be subjected to disciplinary action, in addition to facing a criminal charge of attempted murder. According to the Free State Department of Education the incident purportedly occurred at the school in question on 10 March. It has received strong condemnation and raised concerns about safety at schools. Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department, stated that the code of conduct of the school, which is aligned with the South African Schools Act,
would apply while the police were investigating the incident. He said the decision by the department to take a firm stance against the suspect was further informed by an alleged history of transgressions of the code of conduct, wherein cases of ill-discipline were reported. “The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review to ensure a fair and objective understanding of what transpired. The department will continue to work closely with the police to curb violence and other social ills in schools,” said Ndaba. He said the suspect was currently in Gr. 10, and that his alleged attack on the teacher, with a knife, was the most serious of all cases that had apparently been brought against him. Ndaba said according to information
gathered, the attack on the teacher took place in the event of an interaction regarding the learner’s alleged late arrival. He said while the teacher had apparently been addressing the matter as part of school procedure, the situation escalated, leading to the stabbing. In solidarity with the victim, teachers at schools in the Rammolutsi township resolved to suspend classes on Wednesday, 12 March, to attend the court hearing during the suspect’s first appearance. Ndaba said the department had deployed psycho-social support services to offer comprehensive counselling and emotional support to both learners and teachers affected by the incident. The MEC for Education, Dr Mantlhake Maboya, has committed her department to maintaining discipline and
Carrying on with rich, established history A masterpiece painting by Thabang Pete captures the essence of passionate football supporters, young and old, here seen at the Dr R.P. Molemela Stadium during a home fixture of the premiership outfit Marumo Gallants. The talented self-taught Bloemfontein-based artist has painted the iconic Bloemfontein Celtic administrators the late Dr Rantlai Petrus “White Head” Molemela and Jimmy Augusti (right). Under the depicted pair, Phunya Sele Sele achieved remarkable success in South Africa’s professional football league, with its legacy and huge
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