Boksburg - An East Rand Grade 11 pupil accused of shooting dead a schoolmate who allegedly bullied him appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
The matter was postponed to February 28.
The court heard that the trial would likely be transferred to the High Court, but a decision still needed to be made by the director of public prosecutions.
Tsundzukani Mthombeni, 18, was granted R1000 bail during his last court appearance on November 29. His bail has been extended.
The teen - charged with murder, theft of a firearm, and illegal possession of a firearm - was expected to have a new lawyer for the rest of his case.
His new lawyer was only identified as “Van Rensburg”. Xolani Tshabalala previously handled the case.
Mthombeni allegedly shot dead Grade 10 pupil Nkululeko Ndlovu, 18, in a classroom at Phineas Xulu Secondary School.
During his last appearance in November 2012, investigating officer Isaac Mashishi told the court Mthombeni stole a safe key from his mother's purse while she was outside doing laundry.
He opened the safe, removed her gun, and replaced the key.
“He took his mother's firearm. That means he has planned (to murder),” Mashishi testified.
He said he had tried to get statements from other pupils present during the shooting, but school officials had refused to give him their names and addresses. Mashishi said he would seek to compel the officials to supply the information.
Mthombeni, his mother and a male relative occupied the first bench of the court gallery before proceedings began, while the family of the deceased took the back row.
A woman, believed to be the deceased's mother, broke down and cried before the proceedings.
The inconsolable woman was removed by relatives, and sat weeping outside court.
When proceedings were concluded, the man who accompanied Mthombeni to court shielded him with a jacket, and attempted to chase away journalists taking pictures of him. - Sapa