Bullied pupil dies in suspected suicide
BULLYING in schools has reared its ugly head again after a Grade 10 Limpopo learner allegedly overdosed on pills after she was assaulted by another pupil at the school.
In a video that has gone viral, the 15-year-old from Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa, Limpopo, is seen being confronted by a fellow learner before they are interrupted by another pupil who slaps the learner several times. In the background, other learners are heard laughing or cheering.
A second video showed that the two pupils were separated by a male pupil, but not before the learner landed some more slaps and pulled the 15-year-old’s hair.
After the release of the video, social media users called for justice for the allegedly bullied learner using the hashtag #JusticeForLufuno and pupils from the school picketed outside the school yesterday afternoon.
In a statement released yesterday, the Limpopo Department of Education said MEC Polly Boshielo was concerned about the increasing number of bullying incidents reported. The department confirmed that the incident took place on Monday and that the two learners were in Grade 10.
“The victimised learner is reported to have since passed away, however the cause of death is unknown. The department is awaiting a formal report on the cause from the relevant authorities,” the department said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo told The Star yesterday that the police in Siloam, outside Thohoyandou, had opened an inquest case after a 15-year-old died on arrival at hospital on Monday at about 6.30pm.
Mojapelo said the police received a call from Siloam Hospital that a learner from Mbilwi High School arrived unconscious at hospital and was certified dead on arrival.
“According to the information received, the said child arrived home from school and alleged that she was beaten up by the other learner and thereafter she allegedly locked herself up in the room and consumed an overdose of pills. Her mother found her lying unconscious.”