Community members in support of the suspect packed the Lenyenye Magistrate court as Charles Malusi Ramaphoko ( 18) made his first appearance on Monday in Tzaneen.
Ramaphoko is accused of stabbing to death Hitlas Senyoro (17) at Mphamme village in Tzaneen on 26 March 2026.
According to the Limpopo police, the incident occurred in the evening.
It is reported that both the deceased and the suspect are learners at the same secondary school.
The altercation is believed to have started at the school premises and later escalated.
During the confrontation, the victim was allegedly stabbed in the chest with a sharp object and was declared dead at the scene.
The suspect was apprehended on Thursday at Ga-Sekororo, Bismarck village, after fleeing his area.
Dressed in a Red_ Golf T_ shirt and dark blue jeans, the suspect seemed calm and unbothered by the seriousness of his murder charge.
The Head of Magistrate’s had to explain in-depth the justice system process and granted him permission to apply for a National Legal Aid while in court.
NPA requested a few days in order to profile the accused for previous convictions.
The matter has been remanded to the 07 April 2026 for a formal bail application.
Police investigations are ongoing.