Police have detained a 17-year-old boy following the stabbing of teenager at a secondary school in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
The incident occurred on the morning of 13 August 2025 at St Oswald’s Secondary School, shortly after pupils arrived in their classrooms.
An official source stated that a confrontation between the two youths led to one allegedly using a knife to stab the other.
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As both individuals are minors, full details remain confidential. However, Amajuba District SAPS spokesperson, Constable Nonjabulo Langa, confirmed that law enforcement was notified immediately and responded promptly to manage the situation.
With officers at the school, Constable Langa stated, “The Newcastle SAPS opened an attempted murder case, and a 17-year-old suspect was apprehended and arrested shortly after the incident.”
As reported by Newcastillian News, TRIVS Emergency Medical Services noted that the victim sustained multiple stab wounds and was in a serious condition upon hospital admission.
As investigations continue, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education reported that the Amajuba District, including Newcastle, recorded 60 cases of bullying and violence in schools between January and June 2025, with 10 involving weapons, marking a 15% increase compared to 2024.
This rise aligns with data from the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), which reported 25 physical assault cases in Amajuba schools in 2024, increasing by 10% to 28 cases by mid-2025. SADTU links this trend to socio-economic challenges and inadequate security, with 80% of KwaZulu-Natal schools lacking proper fencing or trained security personnel.
Furthermore, the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) noted that 15 of KwaZulu-Natal’s 90 schools in crime hotspots are in the Amajuba District, with 50 weapon-related incidents recorded in 2024.
General Secretary Matakanye Matakanya stated that searches under the ‘Safe Schools Implementation Protocol’, initiated with SAPS in July 2025, resulted in the seizure of 20 knives and 2 firearms in Amajuba schools by August 2025.
A study by the Durban University of Technology’s International Centre of Non-Violence (ICON), updated in 2025, found that 10% of learners in Amajuba secondary schools carry knives for self-defence, with 32 physical violence cases in 2025, a 5% increase from 30 cases in 2024, driven by gang activity and substance abuse.
The persistent issue of school violence in KwaZulu-Natal demands urgent action from all stakeholders. Strengthening partnerships between schools, law enforcement, and communities, alongside investment in security infrastructure and psychosocial support, is critical to creating safer learning environments.
Collaboration between government, educators, and parents, coupled with initiatives like the ‘Safe Schools Implementation Protocol’ and ICON’s peace education programmes, offers a pathway to address underlying causes such as poverty and gang influence.
With all of this in mind, what are your thoughts?
2 Responses
Firstly , Poverty does not make a person stab another person. we must stop using poverty as an excuse for being evil and committing crimes.
Secondly if there is gang influence in the school, It is up to the Teachers and Principle to Identify and remove those kids. Stop forcing Bad with all the good. You are sinking the ship. There is so many good students that are sidelined because of it. What happened to the days if you were naughty in school, Suspension, then expulsion . done. No excuses, not therapy, no ums or but’s , you be a decent human being or you be removed.
My last point, if my child went to school and stabbed another kid, i give you full permission to hold me as their father/PARENT responsible , it is my job NOT Governments, NOT some Branch or board to teach my Child to be a decent human being.
Every school must have body scanners at the school gates.
Any weapons must b confiscated by security guard.
Too much of freedom n rights.
Saps must do random raids at schools in their areas.
Dept of education need to put in more stricter measures regarding learners educators n management.