Family's heartbreak after son's fatal school stabbing

When Chris Plaatjie was told his 18-year-old son, Liyolo Wakeni had been stabbed at school, he dropped everything at work and drove to him, praying it was not too late.

“It was the longest drive ever. I was praying I wouldn’t be too late.

"When I arrived and saw him lying there, he was already dead. It’s a moment I will never forget,”  Plaatjie told IOL. 

Wakeni was stabbed during a scuffle with classmates at Humansdorp Senior Secondary School, at around 8.15am on Tuesday.

Four minors are expected to appear in a children’s court, while two suspects would appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court today. 

Plaatjie said he wanted justice to prevail.

"The suspects have been arrested, and I am trusting the legal system to take its course.

"I just want my son to be remembered as the boy he was — full of dreams and kindness.”

An emotional Plaatjie described the last time he spoke to his son.

“The last time I spoke to him was Monday morning when he left home for school. He stayed in the hostel to study for exams.”

Liyola's mother, Connie, was too distraught to speak.

Plaatjie described his son as a friendly, smart and respectful child.

“Liyolo changed everyone around him for the better.

"Every time I go to his room, I look at his picture. He is always smiling. That’s how I will remember him. He was a good older brother to his nine-year-old sister... he loved her very much and they were very close."

Plaatjie said his son had big dreams of becoming a lawyer.

“He wanted to make a change in the world, he wanted to help people,” Plaatjie said. 

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed six teenagers were arrested in connection with the murder.

“Information in police records indicates that a violent altercation among learners at the school left one learner with stab wounds,” he said.

“The victim was declared dead at the scene. The six suspects - four minors aged between 16 and 17, and two others - were traced and located near the gravel road leading to Oyster Bay. The six were questioned and later detained on a charge of murder," Nkohli said.

Eastern Cape education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said psychosocial support was activated.

"We have learnt of this incident through the district education department and the police were called to the scene," he said.

"Psychosocial support was also activated to debrief and counsel the affected learners.

"We are still awaiting a report on what exactly happened leading to the death of the learner. As a department, we send our condolences to the bereaved family of the child."