NATIONAL NEWS - Mabindla was stabbed to death by a fellow pupil on 4 May. His uncle Andile Zabeko said, “Our son’s passing was tragic and unexpected. When you send a child to school you expect him to return home well, we are at a loss.”

Zabeko explained that the family is struggling to find out exactly why the youngster was killed. “The principal and pupils told us that our [nephew] and the accused fought over chairs, and soon after they argued over an allegation that the accused stole other pupils’ school bags,” he said.

He added that there are many versions about what sparked the deadly fight, but all the family wants are the exact details of what happened so that they can make peace with Mabindla’s untimely death.

Zabeko said his nephew will be buried in Ebony Park on 16 May. The family is waiting for the deceased’s mother to arrive and put together the money required to make funeral arrangements.

A parent of a pupil who attends the same school, said his son was traumatised by watching someone die. He said, “My son told me that the accused had an altercation with a girl who accused him of stealing other pupils’ school bags.