/ 15 May 2004

Pupil shoots school mate, commits suicide

A North West school pupil committed suicide after shooting dead a fellow pupil at the Nelson Mandela Secondary School at about lunchtime on Friday, police said.

Captain David Serepa said police were investigating how the boy got the gun, which allegedly belonged to a member of his family.

He said the 16-year-old boy opened fire on a 17-year-old girl before shooting himself in the head. Both died on the scene, Serepa said.

Teachers and other pupils were shocked because there was no argument between the two before the shooting, Serepa said. The motive was unknown.

Serepa said he could not confirm whether the two were boyfriend and girlfriend.

The school is situated at the Ikageneng village in the Dinokana area, Zeerust, in the North West.

The incident happened at about 1pm on Friday in full view of teachers and other pupils, he said. — Sapa