Pietermaritzburg - A 15-year-old Pietermaritzburg schoolboy who had enough of being bullied took his father’s gun to school and ended the life of his tormenter.
He pleaded guilty in the city’s regional court on Thursday to killing Umsilinga Primary School pupil Akhona Nakile, 15, the attempted murder of a 17-year-old from the same school and to being in possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition, in November last year.
He admitted he had known what he was doing and had been able to foresee that shooting the boy would result in his death.
The case was heard in camera; only the families and media were allowed to attend.
Nakile was shot in the neck. The bullet exited and hit the other pupil in the cheek.
The incident took place after school, outside school premises. At the time, police suspected the motive to be related to gang violence. But magistrate Rose Magwera accepted the killer’s plea and his version of events.
The teen, of Copesville High School, said Nakile had taken great pleasure in abusing him. He had made fun of him in front of other schoolmates.
“I could not bear the abuse,” he said.
The next morning he opened his father’s wardrobe and took out his gun, which he then took to school. He confronted Nakile after school and a heated argument ensued. Nakile pulled out a knife and he ran for the gun.
He returned and confronted Nakile. He then pointed the gun at him and fired a shot.
Terrified, he fled the scene and went home. Later that evening, he found out that Nakile had died.
Police came to his house and arrested the teenager, who admitted that he had not been forced by anyone to shoot Nakile. He admitted that he had foreseen Nakile would die if he shot him.
He also admitted there had been no justification for the shooting and that by firing, it could also have resulted in the death of other people standing nearby.
The case has been adjourned for pre-sentencing reports. Magwera told the prosecutor she wanted comprehensive reports from a probation officer, a psychologist and a correctional officer.
She wanted interviews to be conducted with the injured boy and the killer’s parents, friends and neighbours. Magwera also wanted statements from teachers from the schools.
She said she wanted the correctional officer to outline how being sent to jail would rehabilitate the child. He has again been remanded to a place of safety, after being denied bail after his arrest.
The Mercury