Three sentenced to life for Soweto schoolyard murder of learner

Three young men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of 18-year-old learner Lerato Nchabeleng outside Reasoma Secondary School in Soweto, a court heard.

What the court found

The Protea Regional Court sentenced Mahanye Tisetso (20), Ernest Lehopo Mohloki (19) and Kagiso Phoofolo (20) to life imprisonment for murder. Each was also given 15 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

A fourth accused, who was 17 years old when the offences were committed, was convicted as well. In line with principles applicable to child offenders, the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence, ordering two years’ compulsory residence at a Child and Youth Care Centre together with an effective 16 years’ imprisonment for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, the NPA said.

How the attack unfolded

The court heard that on 12 February 2024 the Grade 11 learner was stabbed outside the school after he refused to hand over his cellphone to a group of attackers, one of whom was his classmate. They repeatedly stabbed him with knives and robbed him of his cap. A teacher rushed him to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

After the murder the assailants fled and later robbed another victim in Mapetla Park. The suspects were arrested in Gauteng and QwaQwa, the NPA reported.

Court reaction and prosecution view

“The murder was senseless, brutal, and committed against an innocent learner at the gates of his own school,” NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said, adding that the court observed that “no parent expects to receive the devastating news that their child has been stabbed to death at school.”

Mohlatlole said the court emphasised that the need for deterrence and retribution outweighed the young ages of the offenders, and that the interests of society and protection weighed heavily in sentencing.

Response from the NPA

The NPA welcomed the sentences, saying they reflect the seriousness of the offences and reaffirm the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable, particularly where crimes are committed against learners in places where they should feel safe, Mohlatlole said.