Six-year-old critically injured in alleged Umhlali school stabbing
A six-year-old girl was critically injured after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in a classroom at a private pre-primary school in Umhlali, on Tuesday morning.
Police arrested a 16-year-old suspect. He was previously arrested for intimidation in April 2026.
The girl is fighting for her life in hospital.
She sustained stab wounds to her chest, stomach and arm.
IPSS Medical Rescue Advanced Life Support paramedics transported her to a specialist medical facility in a critical condition.
According to Samantha Meyrick from IPSS Medical Rescue, the suspect allegedly gained access to the school through the back of the premises before entering a classroom and barricading himself inside with the children.
“When the teachers began kicking at the door to open it, he grabbed the little girl and stabbed her three times,” Meyrick said.
She said the weapon was a large, homemade shank.
Read more: Independent Online (South Africa)