A 13-year-old South African pupil is expected to appear in court today, Wednesday 27 February in connection with the murder of his classmate.

According to The Citizen, Captain Sam Tselanyane said the teenager was arrested on Tuesday, after he allegedly stabbed his 14-year-old classmate with a pair of scissors at Mateane Primary School in Diretsane, Delareyville.

He said the 14-year-old had requested to leave the class in order to wash his hands because it was time for their meals (government provides one nutritious meal to all students in poorer primary and secondary schools through the National School Nutrition Programme) to be served.

The captain continued: “The suspect also went outside, we do not know what happened when the victim returns but, he was stabbed with a pair of scissors. He went to the classroom, he was taken outside and fell. The principal was called and took him to a clinic where he was certified dead.”

The country’s North West education department said it was saddened by the incident.

“We have arranged for counselling for the learners and teachers,” said departmental spokesperson Freddy Sepeng.

The incident occurred a few days after a parent attacked a teacher at Primary School in Tlhatlhaganyane, Rustenburg.

Parent Itumeleng Letsepe allegedly beat Mpuseng Sepotokele with an umbrella accusing the teacher of ill-treating her child at school.

Letsepe was arrested and was due to appear in Court.