Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

Tshwane University of Technology disciplinary committee has expelled a student who stabbed reigning Miss TUT with a pair of scissors over a boyfriend.

Boitumelo Mogale, a tourism student at the university's Nelspruit campus, will not be able to study at any university in South Africa for five years after she was found guilty of stabbing beauty queen Zanie Nkosi.

But three of the five years have been suspended, which means Mogale, 24, can only register as a university student again in 2010.

Zakhele Sibiya, campus president and member of the disciplinary committee, said Mogale's conduct was dangerous and the sentence handed down did not come as a shock.

"TUT, like any other institution, has rules and regulations," Sibiya said. "And if one fails to obey those rules you will be punished."

He said Mogale has until Friday to appeal the verdict.

Nkosi, 21, told Sowetan yesterday that she was happy that the matter had ended and she could now focus on her studies.

"The whole stabbing incident and the publicity had an adverse effect on my studies as interest in it grew," Nkosi said.

"Now that the matter is a closed chapter I want to forget about the incident and focus on my studies."

Nkosi and Mogale were involved in an argument that became physical when Mogale claimed to have seen SMSes from Nkosi on her boyfriend's cellphone.

Nkosi said Mogale wanted to know why she had sent such messages to her man but she refused to answer.

A row ensued in which Mogale allegedly produced a pair of scissors and stabbed Nkosi in the back.

Mogale was arrested on May 25 on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.