Teen’s tragic death puts suicide in the spotlight

Parents should look out for signs of depression in their children before it is too late.

This is according to a local psychologist, Mokgaetji Mamabolo who spoke to Polokwane Observer after the tragic death of the 19-yearold Phuti Mokoti, who took his own life just days after International Suicide Prevention Day was commemorated on September 10.

Feeling sad most of the time, negative selftalk, talk related to dying or wishing that they could die, excessive sleeping or losing interest in activities they usually enjoyed are just some of the signals that something might be amiss, Mamabolo remarked. Phuti left a suicide note in which he, according to a family representative, Tovhowani Maswime said he could no longer ‘live a life of pain and misery’. He also expressed his love for his siblings.

Maswime said that Phuti’s mother, Mavis has been strong since the family’s ordeal, although heartbreak is inevitable.

There have in the past been calls for the Polokwane Municipality to put up a fence around the reservoir for security purposes, with the DA stating that the event was not an isolated incident.

“The first fatality at this reservoir occurred on October 11, 2020, in the same year the reservoir was built. The DA has made several requests to the municipality to put up a fence around the reservoir,” a statement reads.

Polokwane Municipality spokesperson, Thipa Selala relayed messages of condolences to the family. He said due to budget constraints it is not financially viable to fence every reservoir and storage tank, and that this is the reason why in this instance, the infrastructure is elevated.

Phuti will be laid to rest on September 24, with the service held at the Association for Persons with Disability Conference Hall in

Penina Park from 07:00.