Free State Police Spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the two learners who are both 16-years old and in the same grade got into a fight outside the school yard at around 14:30. 

The suspect stabbed the deceased with a screw driver on the left side of the neck. The teenager – Lungelo Khathane - succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Makhele says the reason for the fight is not yet known and an investigation continues. 

The accused was arrested on Wednesday as word of Khathane’s death gained traction around the town and on social media. 

The Free State Education Department has since deployed some of its officials to the affected school. Following this, the department arranged that learners and teachers receive counselling following the incident. 

Scholar safety has again come under scrutiny following instances of violence involving learners around the country.

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