Pupil killed with scissors was friends with alleged attacker

Johannesburg - The 21-year-old matric pupil, Songezo Mabindla, who died at the Tsosoloso ya Afrika Seconday School in Ebony Park near Midrand was friends with his alleged killer.

This was revealed by Mr Tsoku, who was a teacher of both the accused and the victim. 

"I want to say that the two were friends... There were no grudges. There was no animosity between them as is reported," he said.

Mabindla was fatally stabbed with a pair of scissors, allegedly by his classmate, following an argument at the school on Monday. 

A fellow learner known as Tebogo Ndlovu had since been arrested for the murder. 

He appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate's Court ,where his case was postponed to May 14.

He remains behind bars. 

Meanwhile, dozens of school learners, members of the public and relatives of the accused and the victim gathered at a hall close to the school where they paid an emotional farewell to Mabindla. 

Some learners took to the podium to read poetry and deliver musical items.

Tears flowed and sniffles could be heard from the crowd.

Scores of the learners had to be led out of the hall as one by one they broke down and cried during the service. 

Teachers moved around the hall handing out rolls of toilet paper and glasses of water to the grieving learners.

Reminiscing about the two pupils, Tsoku said just three weeks ago he had asked his pupils what they wanted to do after school. 

Ndlovu had responded by saying: "Meneer, I want to be a prison warder."

"Jokingly... I asked him do you have a criminal record. He said I don't have it. I asked him do you have a tattoo and he said no," said Tsoku. 

He said as they had this conversation, he was unaware of what lay ahead for the young boy. 

While most of the people who took to the stage described Mabindla as a quiet person, Tsoku said he had been even quieter on Monday just minutes before his death. 

"Like an omen, on Monday when it was announced that they had to stay in their classes...  he remained at his seat very quiet, motionless as if something was telling him that the next hour may not be his," said Tsoku.