A grade 8 pupil was stabbed to death by a group of teenagers at Umlulama Secondary School in Hopewell, Pietermaritzburg, according to a report.
The Witness newspaper reported on Wednesday that Nkosingiphile Ngcamu,16, was dragged from the school grounds and stabbed several times. He died on his way to hospital.
His cousin Khanyo Ngcamu, who witnessed the incident as she was watching a soccer match during a break, said Nkosingiphile tried to run away but the group overpowered him and dragged him out of the school.
She and other pupils watched as he was stabbed repeatedly.
The motive for the killing was unclear but gang rivalry and an argument over a girl have been cited as possible causes.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Joey Jeevan confirmed the incident. She said Nkosingiphile was stabbed twice in the chest.
Two teenagers who were injured during the fight have been arrested.