Pupil's death kept from mates
THE principal of a school where a Grade 10 pupil committed suicide after allegedly being bullied by schoolmates only announced his death to the school yesterday morning - a week after he died.
David Hlongwane, a pupil at Lethabong Secondary School in Soshanguve, Pretoria, hanged himself from the rafters of his home last Wednesday rather than go back to school to face his tormentors.
David was allegedly attacked twice on Tuesday - once during lunch break and after school - allegedly by four bullies also in Grade 10.
The principal, MZ Serwadi, was forced to convene a special assembly yesterday morning where he announced David's death. This after Sowetan had published a story about his death yesterday.
Normally, the school conducts morning assembly once a week - on Mondays.
Numerous attempts to contact the principal for comment yesterday and on Monday were unsuccessful.
However, spokesman for the department of education in Gauteng, Charles Phahlane, yesterday said: "We are launching an independent investigation into the matter ... we are going to get an independent firm to look into the probabilities of finding the truth."
David's stepfather, Sam Mabuza, yesterday accused Serwadi of trying to keep his son's death a secret.
"My wife reported the incident to the principal on Thursday ... the two of us met him on Friday and he promised to announce the death to staff and pupils the same day, but he did not."
Daffy
Africans are their own worst enemies! we are so occupied with keeping up with America tha we forget to teach our kids manners and discipline! my lil niece has discovered Tupac song and has become rebellious and destructive saying the songs of the singer are an isnpiration to her wanting to live her life the way she wants to. *crying* anyone have a tissue?Report Abuse
themadam
Daffy-----
teenagers are teenagers regardless of race. in as much as we have problems with ours, the other races also have their problems. its not an isolated issue.
so you leave your niece to be desruptive instead of disciplining her? who is to blame there, americans?
in my moms house, i always knew that i had no rights but priviledges, ands thats how i will raise my own kids. they will never dictate to me. that way at least i know i wont blame any system, government, american or whites.
Report Abuse