The 16-year-old KwaZulu-Natal teenager charged with the attempted murder of a six-year-old girl made his first appearance in court on Wednesday.
The teen, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is accused of entering a classroom in the Umhlali area, north of Durban, on Tuesday morning, and stabbing the female child.
According to police, the teenager went into the classroom and locked the teacher and pupils inside.
It is further alleged that when they tried to flee, he stabbed the girl multiple times.
Police confirmed that the suspect was arrested on the scene and taken into police custody.
KZN police also confirmed that it was not the teenager's first brush with the law - he faces charges of intimidation.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the province confirmed the teen's appearance in the KwaDakuza Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara Ramkisson said the charges of attempted murder, housebreaking and trespassing were preferred against the teenager.
"Following his appearance in the Child Justice Court, the matter was postponed to October 16, 2026 for a bail application."
She said the State intended to oppose bail.
"The youth will remain at a youth facility in the interim."
Private security company IPSS Medical Rescue who responded to reports of the stabbing, said the child was found to be in a critical condition and had to be rushed to hospital.
Samantha Meyrick told IOL News 24 hours after the incident that the child had since undergone an operation and remained in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
She said that the family said the child would make a full recovery and asked for privacy at this time
IOL News