Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says on Thursday afternoon a grade 10 learner at the high school was stabbed in the chest with a knife and murdered by a grade 11 learner over a cellphone. It’s alleged the 19-year-old deceased went to the grade 11 class where he found a group of boys playing with a cellphone. 

The deceased reportedly grabbed the cellphone and refused to give it back to those boys. One of the boys in the group - aged 17 - allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest, killing him.

The SABC has identified the victim as Nhlanhla Ncongwane.

Meanwhile, Makhele says the suspect has been arrested for murder and is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate's Court soon under the supervision of his parents.

The Free State Education Department has condemned the incident, adding that schools should be “centres of learning and teaching, not violent dens”. Psychological support will be provided to learners and educators who bore witness to the tragedy.

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