Disabled boys stab deputy principal to death

In a shocking incident, a deputy principal in Efata School for the Blind and Deaf in South Africa was killed by her own deaf pupils.

This was revealed during the boys' trial before a Mthatha Magistrates Court on Monday.

The five boys were grilled by state prosecutor Thembisa Ntloko.

Luthando Silwana (23) pleaded not guilty to charges of housebreaking and murder. He asked to be released on bail so he could finish writing his exams.

Ntloko revealed compelling accusations against Silwana, which he denied.

The prosecutor said: "The investigating officer will tell the court that you threatened to kill the state witness and you chased him out of the school.

"The officer will also tell how you broke into the deputy principal's room and stabbed her. You then threw the knife that had broken in your hand and your Uzzi sweater in the river and washed your bloody hands."

Silwana denied this, saying he was playing soccer on the afternoon of the murder in July.

He said he heard about the murder for the first time later when he went to the school to fetch food at the hostel.

But Ntloko added: "The investigating officer will tell the court that you and another accused held a meeting with someone who is not yet arrested, planning to kill the deputy principal."

The defence put questions to Silwana.

He told his lawyer that he lives with his gogo.

Earlier, accused number four and five raised their hands and complained about the court interpreter.

According to the deaf boys, they couldn't understand the sign language she was using.

Nodumo Mdleleni-Mzimane (50) was found dead in her room near the hostel.

Her husband Yandisa was one of many people in the packed courtroom.