Boy, 13, charged with teen’s murder

Lynnette Johns

A 13-YEAR-OLD Atlantis boy has been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old fellow pupil.

The boy, who cannot be identified, was taken into the care of the provincial Department of Social Development shortly after Fadiel Benjamin, 14, was stabbed and killed last week. Social Development spokesperson Esther Lewis said the boy was assessed by the probation officer at the Department of Social Development office in Atlantis, in accordance with the Child Justice Act.

Grade 7 pupil Fadiel and his twin brother Adiel walked out of the Wesfleur Primary School gates last Monday on their way home, when Fadiel apparently told a 13-year-old boy he shouldn’t smoke at school. The Grade 6 pupil allegedly told him “I will stab you”, and seconds later he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Fadiel in the chest. Fadiel collapsed, bleeding profusely. He died hours later.

The 13-year-old is in a place of safety.

Lewis said the purpose of the assessment was to determine the best interests of the child; the seriousness of the offence; and to decide on the placement of the child, pending the court proceedings.

The assessment also assisted the court in deciding on the prospect of diversion of the matter and determining criminal capacity of children aged 10 to 14 years old.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said the matter had been postponed to May 28 for further investigation.

Ntabazalila said that because the boy was a minor, he was protected by the court.

Social Development MEC Albert Fritz said yesterday the boy was now awaiting trial and had been charged with murder. “We have done the assessment and he will go through the criminal justice system. He is awaiting trial for murder,” Fritz said.

Fritz said the situation was very sad, not only for the Benjamin family but also for the family of the 13-year-old.

He was concerned about the level of violence among young children and said there had been an increase in the number of young children finding themselves “in conflict with the law”.

“I am concerned about the increase of youth violence, many involving sharp objects like knives. A lot of the incidents happen outside of school while the children are walking home,” Fritz said.

There was also the phenomenon of youth gangs and often the incidents were linked to children who were in gangs. There were normally about 300 youths in places of safety across the province, but recently figures had shown a gradual increase. According to Fritz, there were about 350 children in places of safety.

“We as the Department of Social Development are very concerned about the rise in criminality and acts of violence among young children and youth being perpetrated against those in their peer groups,” Fritz said.

The department was rolling out a number of programmes across the province.

The mass opportunity development programme is being run at 180 schools. Children can stay after school to do their homework and take part in activities. There is also the department’s Youth Cafés, where young people can get skills training.

lynette.johns@inl.co.za