Lisa Isaacs
A VARIETY show at Oaklands High School apparently became so rowdy that community policing forum (CPF) members from surrounding areas had to be called in to control the crowd.
This was shortly before an 18-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death.
Hanif Loonat, chairperson of the Mitchells Plain CPF cluster, said the death of the youngster he identified as Litha Mapikana was allegedly due to an altercation over a cap.
Police arrested a 20-year-old Grade 11 pupil, and he is expected to appear in court once he is charged.
Loonat said the school had called for assistance from the CPFs as a crowd had gathered outside attempting to gain entry to the show.
“We were called in by the school saying back-up was needed. There was a rowdy group trying to get tickets to enter after they were told there were no tickets available.”
Loonat alleged that people were drinking and that there were broken bottles lying outside the school.
“There were taxi’s all over, it was mayhem outside. Some taxi drivers were consuming alcohol and they were overloaded,” he said, adding that no alcohol was consumed within the school premises.
“While on duty, a youngster ran towards us, he was stabbed in the heart, and collapsed outside the school. We called for an ambulance to come and we waited about 25 minutes. By the time it arrived, it was clear that he was not going to make it. It was a senseless killing,” he said.
Nabeel Khan, of the Kenwyn Neighbourhood Watch, said members tried to keep the boy warm with jackets, but after a short while, he was unresponsive.
“We tried to stabilise him and calm him down. We asked him to hang on. But he started losing consciousness,” Khan said.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the incident at Oaklands High School on Friday at about 10pm.
“According to the reports, police attended a complaint in the address and found a 18-year-old victim with a stab wound to his chest, the victim died from his injuries.
“A case of murder has been opened for investigation. A 20-year-old suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in court once charged,” she said.
Principal Reza Patel would not comment yesterday.