Police spokesperson, Sam Tselenyane tells OFM News the teen was released in the care of his guardians for a preliminary inquiry to be conducted.

He says the boy was arrested after the younger child died in hospital after he allegedly attacked the boy, pushed him downstairs, and continued to beat him. He says the incident occurred on Friday,10 May, at Kgalagatsane Primary School in Reagile. Meanwhile, the provincial department of education's spokesperson, Freddy Sepeng, tells OFM News that the department condemns the incident, but refused to comment further saying the matter was sub judice.

Tselanyane added the teen is expected to be assessed by social workers on Monday, as per the Child Justice Act. He says that based on the report, he would either be detained in a child- and youth centre or remain in the care of his parents. The deceased did not report the incident to teachers or the principal and did not report it at home to his mother either. 

He spent the weekend limping and his mother thought he had an allergy of some sort. On May 13, the mother wanted to go to the school to report that her son was limping, and the boy then told his mother what had happened. She went to the school to report the assault and police were called. A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (assault GBH) was initially opened, and after the child died it was changed to murder.

OFM News