South African police fatally shoot 17-year-old at protest over lack of exam prep time

South African teen shot dead during protest

JOHANNESBURG — South African police fatally shot a 17-year-old who was part of a group protesting that a teachers strike gave them insufficient time to prepare for exams.

An investigator said Tuesday that students marching in the Free State region allegedly threw stones at police officers who confronted them Monday morning.

Moses Dlamini, a spokesman for an agency that investigates complaints against police, says an officer fired a warning shot toward the ground with a 9 mm pistol, and the bullet rebounded and hit Nontsikelelo Anna Nokela in the back. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The strike ended Sept. 6, shortly before a series of final exams. There have been protests this week by students across South Africa.