The police in Harrismith, Free State, on Thursday afternoon arrested a 17-year-old high school pupil for the alleged fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old fellow learner.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the fatal stabbing at Thando High School in Intabazwe near Harrismith was the result of a dispute over a cellphone.

Makhele added that the police responded to reports of the incident at around 2.10pm on Thursday.

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“On arrival at the scene, police members were led to one of the classrooms at the school where the body of a learner was found lying in a pool of blood near the door.

“It is alleged that the suspect, 17-years-old, took a knife from one of his classmates and allegedly stabbed the deceased, 19-years-old, once in the chest. He collapsed and died instantly on the scene.

“The learner was arrested on a charge of murder. He will be charged and is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court soon under supervision of his parents,” Makhele said.