A 16-year-old Grade 11 learner from Witbank, identified as **Khutso Mvelase**, is fighting for his life in ICU after he was allegedly stabbed multiple times by his classmate, **Sizwe Lubisi**, following a dispute that began during their final exam session.
According to sources close to the school, the conflict started in the exam room when an invigilator reportedly noticed Sizwe copying answers. Because Khutso was seated near him, the teacher questioned him about whether he had seen or noticed anything suspicious. At first, Khutso denied any knowledge of the cheating. However, after the invigilator threatened to disqualify him from the exam, he eventually told the truth — that Sizwe was allegedly copying from a piece of toilet paper on which answers had been written.
Classmate and eyewitness, Mpho, explained:
“This fight started during our last exam paper. The teacher saw that Sizwe was copying. When he asked Khutso, he denied knowing anything. But when the teacher threatened to remove him from the exam room, Khutso finally admitted that Sizwe had answers written on a toilet roll.”
Following this admission, Sizwe was searched and the toilet roll with answers — referred to as *Sijumbane* — was found in his possession. He was then disqualified from the exam. Schoolmates revealed that after the incident, Sizwe became angry and had reportedly been looking for Khutso ever since, allegedly seeking revenge.
Family members confirmed that Khutso generally prefers staying indoors when he is not at school, a habit they believe may have protected him temporarily. However, on the day of the attack, friends reportedly fetched him from home, claiming they needed him to accompany them to a barbershop. Soon after leaving home, he was ambushed and stabbed.
Khutso’s mother, Mimi, expressed both heartbreak and relief as she spoke about her son’s condition:
“We thank God Khutso is alive, although he is still in ICU. The doctors are doing everything they can to help him recover. He told me about the cheating incident last week, but I never thought it would lead to something this big. Right now, all I care about is his healing. His older brother will handle everything else.”
Doctors confirmed that Khutso sustained **four stab wounds** — **two near his heart, one on his leg, and one near his left ear**. He remains hospitalized at a private facility where he is receiving critical care.
Police spokespersons confirmed that a manhunt is underway for the 17-year-old suspect.
“Even though the suspect is only 17, that does not mean we will leave him. We are working hard to find him for questioning. We visited his home, but he was not there,” the spokesperson said.
Authorities also urged the Mvelase family to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“We ask the family to allow police to do their work. Justice will follow due process,” they added.
The incident has left the community shocked, raising renewed concerns about school safety, the pressures of examinations, and the growing trend of violence among learners.
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