Moeding student dies in a stampede

A Form 5 male student tragically lost his life on Tuesday evening in a stampede at Moeding College.

The 18-year-old student reportedly died on the spot in a devastating incident that shook the school community in the midst of a critical final year examinations period.

Lobatse Woodhall Police Station Commander, Elias Magosi, confirmed the tragic incident this week, noting that police had placed the entire school on lockdown in an attempt to get to the bottom of the matter.

“This however does not mean the police will get in the way of the normal school process or their examinations. Exams will go on as scheduled, but yes the police are at the school trying to establish from witnesses what could have possibly led to the death of the student,” the police boss confirmed.

Police had not established any leads by press time on Wednesday, but a school representative told concerned parents who had thronged the school premises that just after lunch on Tuesday, a fight ensued among students.

“During the fight and scuffle, others fled from the chaos, and unfortunately from the look of it, the student missed a step and hit his head on the pavement. He sustained very serious injuries,” the school representative told the parents concerning the death.

Answering questions from furious parents, the school representative said the incident is now a police matter and that he could not provide any more assistance, only saying that they as a school have noted a worrying trend that some students bring unlawful and dangerous weapons into the school.

“We should all protect ourselves and report any suspicious behavior,” the school representative said.

Meanwhile in a similar but not fatal incident, at Kgale Hill School, authorities released a statement warning of violence among students.

“This communiqué serves to inform you that the Form 3 students will be finishing their final examination tomorrow. It has come to our attention that they usually display unruly behavior, in which non completing classes fall victims to such behavior. It is on that note that the school Management decided that Form 1 and Form 2 students should not come to school on Friday.”