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Tsholotsho boy (13) fatally stabs friend with an okapi

by Court Reporter
13 Dec 2011 at 05:17hrs | Views
A 13-year-old boy from Tsholotsho has been arrested for fatally stabbing another juvenile. The incident occurred on Friday in Mangisi area at about 5pm.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Sergeant Eglon Nkala confirmed the incident which occurred in the Mangisi area under Chief Gampu.

He said the juvenile died on the spot after he was stabbed by the boy once on the chest with an okapi knife.

Sgt Nkala said the boy, also from the same area, was accusing the now deceased, who was his friend, of refusing to give him some bicycle bearings he had asked for.

The accused boy met the deceased and another minor in the bush while they were herding cattle and he reportedly violently took away a cap the now deceased was wearing.

He then reportedly asked for the bearings which the deceased had but he refused to give him. The accused then allegedly punched both of them twice on the face and left.

Sgt Nkala said at about 5pm on the same day, the accused came back armed with an okapi knife and met the two juveniles walking along a path in the company of another minor boy.

The accused reportedly intercepted them and wanted to assault one of the boys who ran away.

Sgt Nkala said the accused boy tried to run after him but the deceased held him back trying to restrain him from beating up his friend.

"A fistfight ensued and the accused drew an okapi and stabbed him once on the chest. The deceased sustained a deep wound on the chest and collapsed and died on the spot," he said.

The accused reportedly fled from the scene.

A report was made to the police and the accused was arrested on the same day.

Sgt Nkala said the body of the deceased was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem while the accused is reportedly still being held at Tsholotsho Police Station.

Sgt Nkala appealed to members of the community to monitor their children so that they do not play with dangerous weapons such as knives.

"We are appealing to members of the community and parents not to allow minors to play with dangerous weapons such as knives," said Sgt Nkala.

Source - Court
More on: #Stab, #Okapi, #Tsholotsho