Four youths are expected to appear in court today after a 20-year-old pupil was killed in Richards Bay during a party to mark the end of examinations.

Four youths are expected to appear in court today after a 20-year-old pupil was killed in Richards Bay during a party to mark the end of examinations.

Police spokesman Superintendent Jay Naicker said yesterday that Sipokuhle Ngubane, of Nseleni township, was stabbed late on Friday .

He said about 500 pupils had gone to a party at Richards Bay's main beach.

Police were called to the scene and the four, aged between 16 and 17, were arrested.

Naicker said three knives, allegedly used in the stabbing, were seized.

He could not confirm from which school or schools the pupils came, but pointed out that the gathering was not an organised school event.

"Unfortunately, the unplanned party took an ugly turn as alcohol was alleged to have been consumed on the beach," he said.

KwaZulu-Natal education spokesman Christi Naude said: "We appeal to children to be sensible when they have their celebrations."

She said pupils who had completed their exams should "not do anything that jeopardises their future, health or the safety of others".

Parents should not "abrogate their responsibilities" and should always know the whereabouts of their children, Naude said.

Matric exams finish today, though all the major papers have been completed.

Meanwhile, in Free State, a grade 8 pupil was expected to appear in the Frankfort magistrates' court on Friday for allegedly stabbing a classmate last week.

Police spokesman Captain Hennie Labuschagne said an 18-year-old pupil at Reseng Thabo High School in Tweeling was arrested after the stabbing on Tuesday.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Fischer Mokoena, of Mafahlaneng near Tweeling, was playing morabaraba when one of the boys turned towards him and asked him why he was laughing .

He stabbed Mokoena with a sharp object under his left arm and he sustained a 2cm wound.