Three men have been handed life imprisonment for the murder of Lerato Nchabeleng, an 18-year-old Grade 11 learner who was stabbed to death outside his school in Protea North, Soweto.

The Protea regional court sentenced Mahanye Tisetso (20), Ernest Mohloki (19), and Kagiso Phoofolo (20) to life for the killing, along with 15 years each for robbery charges involving aggravating circumstances.A fourth accused, aged 17 at the time, received a lesser sentence due to being a minor offender.The incident occurred on February 12, 2024, when Mohloki, Nchabeleng's classmate, identified him to others waiting outside the school gates.The group confronted him, demanded his cellphone, and stabbed him repeatedly before stealing his belongings.A teacher rushed him to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.The court condemned the senseless attack, emphasizing that no parent expects such news about their child.Prosecutors argued the severity of the crimes justified lengthy sentences to deter similar offenses.The case highlights systemic issues of youth violence and the need for stricter measures to protect schools.