/ 24 October 2008

School sword killing: Accused fit to stand trial

The 18-year-old pupil who allegedly killed a fellow schoolboy with a sword was declared fit to stand trial by the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

”The defendant is not mentally ill,” said prosecutor Angela van der Merwe.

Dressed in black, Morne Harmse appeared briefly before magistrate Joachim Nortje, after a two-month psychiatric evaluation.

The case was postponed for a bail application on November 4.

Harmse, brandishing a samurai sword and wearing a mask, allegedly killed Jacques Pretorius (16) at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School on August 18.

He also allegedly stabbed and injured another boy and two gardeners. — Sapa