A Fairview family has been left devastated following a tragic incident, in which a 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed his stepfather during a domestic dispute over scones on Boxing Day.
The incident occurred at around 3pm at a rented flat in Makholweni. According to the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), the deceased, a 50-year-old man identified as Ndlala, sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident arose from a disagreement after the boy was questioned about giving scones to his friends while his mother was away attending a funeral in Siteki, leaving the deceased in charge of the children.
Fairview community police officer Thobile Thwala narrated that the deceased, identified as Ndlala, had been in a relationship with the minor’s mother for close to 15 years. The couple shared two young children together and lived as a family.
At the time of the incident, the boy’s mother was reportedly in Siteki attending the burial of a relative, leaving the deceased in the care of the children.
Thwala explained that the events leading to the tragedy stemmed from a domestic disagreement over scones that had been purchased by the deceased earlier that day. It was alleged that the boy had been taking the scones outside to give to his friends.
After noticing repeated trips in and out of the house, the deceased questioned the boy, expressing concern that the food was meant to sustain the children while their mother was away.
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Thwala alleged that the deceased then prevented the boy from taking the remaining scones, holding them at the door while contacting the boy’s mother to alert her about the situation.
During the call, the mother purportedly advised the boy to stop giving the scones away and informed him that she was preparing to return home from Siteki. The boy allegedly denied having shared the food with his friends.
It was further reported that the mother encouraged the boy to leave the house and return later when she was home, before ending the call.
Moments later, the boy is alleged to have returned with a small black kitchen knife, which he used to stab the deceased on the right side of the chest.
At the time, the deceased was seated with his two biological children, a boy and a girl.
The community police officer relayed that after sustaining the stab wound, the deceased reportedly held onto his young son’s hand and spoke to him briefly in a Mozambican language, before the 13-year-old allegedly fled the scene.
The boy later returned and found his stepfather in a critical condition, bleeding heavily. Thwala reported that the child was heard crying out in distress, pleading with the injured man to wake up and expressing regret, saying he had only intended to play.
According to Thwala, the boy was heard crying out, saying:
“Babe vuka, ungikhulisile. Bengitsi ngiyakudlalisa,”
which translates to, “Father, wake up. You raised me. I only meant to play with you.”
Tragically, the deceased later released his grip on his son’s hand and lost consciousness.
When asked to comment, the boy’s mother politely declined, saying that the incident was both devastating and still very new to the family.
Thwala highlighted that when she, together with other law enforcers, arrived at the scene, they found the man collapsed at the doorway, with his feet protruding outside.
He was reportedly unresponsive, his eyes open, and had fallen near about five scones. He was rushed to RFM Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police confirmed that the deceased sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest. The suspect, who is the deceased’s stepson, was arrested and remains in police custody.
He is expected to appear in court tomorrow once due legal processes have been completed.
Child psychologist offers insight into boy’s behaviour
The 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his stepfather on Boxing Day exhibited behaviour that, according to child psychologist Dr Nomcebo Dlamini, is consistent with a child experiencing emotional turmoil rather than inherent violence.
“From what has been reported, the boy showed signs of acting out and challenging authority at home, which can be normal for adolescents,” Dr Dlamini explained.
“He occasionally misbehaved, spoke back to his stepfather and resisted instructions from his mother. However, he was responsive when approached gently and firmly, indicating that he was capable of listening and adjusting his behaviour.
“These patterns suggest emotional distress or frustration, rather than a premeditated intent to harm.”
Dr Dlamini noted that sudden, extreme actions in children can sometimes result from accumulated stress, confusion or feeling unheard, particularly in complex family dynamics.
“Children are still developing impulse control and emotional regulation. Situations can escalate if they lack the tools or support to process their feelings appropriately,” she said.
Highlighting the tragedy’s broader implications, the psychologist urged the public to exercise compassion and avoid judgment.
“This is a highly sensitive case involving a minor. Families, schools and communities need to create safe environments for children to express themselves and receive guidance.
“Early intervention, emotional support and counselling are critical in preventing incidents like this,” Dr Dlamini emphasised.
