Teen nabbed after stabbing outside Good Friday service

A 16-year-old undocumented Mozambican national was arrested for drug possession and attempted murder in Redcliffe, north of Durban, over the weekend.

The teen stabbed a security guard who refused him and his gang member permission to enter a school premises where a Good Friday service was being held. The teen was also in possession of Xanax tablets.

A member of the Redcliffe Community Policing Forum (CPF) contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on Saturday, March 30, requesting assistance on Redcliffe Drive, said RUSA spokesman Prem Balram.

“On arrival, Reaction Officers were informed that two teenagers attempted to enter Redcliffe Primary School on Friday afternoon (March 29). The church congregation who are conducting their Good Friday service on the school premises approached the teenagers and questioned their intentions,” said Mr Balram.

“One of the boys was found in possession of 76 Xanax tablets. Members of the congregation attempted contacting law enforcement for several hours without success. They thereafter released the teenagers but retained the narcotics.”

The 16-year-old returned later that day with his gang members, their intention was to recover the prescription medication, added Mr Balram.

A private security officer positioned at the entrance of the school denied the group access onto the premises.

One of the men produced a knife and repeatedly stabbed the security officer in the head.

“The church congregation heard the commotion and proceeded to the injured male’s assistance. The suspects demanded that the narcotics be handed over to them and started hurling bricks and stones at the church goers. The congregation managed to defend themselves. The suspects threatened to return and burn down the church which operates out of a marquee on the school premises,” said Mr Balram.

They again contacted law enforcement but they had no success. The injured security officer was taken to hospital where he received multiple sutures to his head.

On Saturday, during a church service the teenage suspect was noticed loitering outside the school.

He was once again apprehended and the RUSA operations centre was contacted.

“During an interview with reaction officers, the teen stated that he entered South Africa illegally in 2020. He was residing with his uncle in an area popularly known as Sand Pit in Redcliffe. His uncle was arrested and deported to Mozambique last year. He has since been left to fend for him himself as he has no other family in South Africa,” said Mr Balram.

“He further informed Reaction Officers that he obtains his supply of Xanax from an individual in the Verulam CBD. He then sells the powerful antidepressant to scholars.”

The teenager and the exhibits gathered from his possession were handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation, said Mr Balram.