Father’s heartbreak as son, 18, stabbed to death at Humansdorp school
When Chris Plaatjie received the call that his 18-year-old son, Liyolo Wakeni, had been stabbed at school, he rushed from work and prayed it wasn’t 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, a matric learner at Humansdorp Senior Secondary School, was stabbed during a scuffle with classmates shortly after 8am on Tuesday. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, he succumbed to stab wounds to his upper body and was declared dead at the scene.
Arrests and court appearances
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed that six teenagers had been 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,” Nkohli 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 the four minors are expected to appear in a children’s court, while the two 18-year-old suspects were due to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
A father’s grief
For Plaatjie, the pain of losing his son is unbearable. He described Liyolo as a kind and ambitious young man with big dreams of becoming a lawyer.
“I just want my son to be remembered as the boy he was — full of dreams and kindness,” he said.
“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 been determined to make a difference in society. “He wanted to make a change in the world, he wanted to help people,” he added.
He is now placing his faith in the justice system. “The suspects have been arrested, and I am trusting the legal system to take its course.”
Education department responds
Eastern Cape education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said psychosocial support had been activated for pupils and staff affected by the tragedy.
“We have learnt of this incident through the district education department and the police were called to the scene,” Mtima 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.”
The killing has reignited concerns about violence in South African schools, with education officials urging parents, learners and communities to work together to prevent further tragedies.
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