Cape Town – Two learners from Lesedi Secondary School in Pretoria have been granted bail after being charged with the premeditated murder of their Grade 10 schoolmate, Lethabo Mokonyane.
Mlehalinye Montasi (20), a Grade 12 learner, and Kgotlhello Mathabathe (19), a Grade 10 learner, were charged with the murder of their schoolmate on 17 June 2025 in the Lethabong informal settlement in Donkerhoek, Pretoria.
According to The South African, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the learners were granted bail of R6,000 and R3,000 each, with strict conditions, by the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court.
Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the NPA in Gauteng, said that the learner was on his way to write exams when he was confronted by the two boys and stabbed multiple times, later dying in hospital.
“A fight allegedly ensued, during which one of the accused restrained him while the other stabbed him multiple times with a sharp object. Mokonyane was rushed to the hospital, where he died a few hours later,” she said.
Two learners from Lesedi Secondary School, Mlehalinye Montasi (20) and Kgotlhello Mathabathe (19), were granted bail after being charged with the murder of fellow learner Lethabo Mokonyane (Grade 10).
Mokonyane was allegedly attacked and stabbed on 17 June 2025 after exams and… pic.twitter.com/Tqpvf1xR2Y
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) September 1, 2025
Mahanjana said the two boys applied for bail, citing the need to return to school. However, state prosecutor Karabo Sebela opposed bail, describing Montasi as a ‘flight risk’ and noting that he is in the country illegally.
“The magistrate nevertheless granted bail, with strict conditions that the accused must attend court proceedings until the finalisation of the trial, may not interfere, directly or indirectly, with witnesses, and must subject themselves to correctional supervision and comply with all imposed rules.
The matter was postponed to 10 October 2025 for the Regional Court,” said Mahanjana.
According to the Citizen, the Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane accused the school’s management of failing to prevent this incident had the school fulfilled their responsibility.
“The two learners fought initially, and then the parents were called in, and it was a very bad fight, the way weapons were used.
“And at that point, the school was supposed to have immediately suspended both of the learners and immediately enforced the code of conduct, and they did not do that.
“And these are the dangers when you don’t enforce laws,” said Chiloane.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
