By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
Bokang Pitso (12) took part in the fight with two pupils who joined forces against him.
Two teachers, then allegedly forced him to go to a staff room, alone, where they took turns and beat him, using corporal punishment witnessed by other pupils.
When he arrived at home, he committed suicide by hanging himself. This incident occurred in Mahikeng in the northwest. The Living Faith teachers were never arrested or suspended.
Bokang’s aunt, Habi Pitso, said her six-year-old niece saw Bokang bleed and that she was afraid, thinking he was naughty. The girl thought he was playing some kind of weird game.
When the minor returned to the room, she realized that Bokang had a nosebleed and that he had a rope around his neck.
“My 12-year-old nephew took one of the hardest decisions a person can take… to live or not to live. He decided this world was a bit too much for him.
“I never understand how some kids can be so mean and find joy in tormenting others. I am angry, hurt and devastated,” wrote Habi on Facebook.
According to his family, Bokang had developed technical skills. He used to do welding work to raise pocket money, which he then used to buy shoes for his family members.
Makhetha Pitso (grandfather) said: ” I really don’t know. I will have to go back to my drawing board to see who am I going to raise and to trust, because he was doing everything.”
During his memorial service at the school, angry members of the community disrupted the event , which was eventually canceled.
The spokesperson for the Mahikeng Education Department, Elias Malindi, said an investigation had been launched to determine what had happened.
” We want to get to the bottom of this matter,” said Malindi while sending condolences to the bereaved family.
In a simple term, forms of corporal punishment include hitting with a hand or an object, pinching, burning, throwing objects at a learner, forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions, kicking, grabbing, scratching, pulling hair; or denying a child meals, the use of the toilet, and shelter from heat or cold.
In 1996, the South African Schools Act, under Section 10, banned the use of corporal punishment in schools. In 2000 this was confirmed in the Christian Education case.
Despite the ban on corporal punishment 20 years ago, teachers are still hitting children at school and some teachers remain untouched!
Our kids needs to be protected and feel safe around their teachers, hence they decide to punish him after he was gangedUp by fellow pupil,,… Those cruel teachers should be held responsible for his death… They must pay