“Mass protests against bullying” says community
Lebowakgomo
Following the tragic death of a grade 12 learner at Kopano Secondary school, Khutso Mabiletsa, members of the community in Lebowakgomo Zone S marched to the school on September 15th demanding justice.
According to the family spokesperson, Pabalelo Selema, the late Khutso committed suicide after she was bullied by her educator and her husband.
It is believed that the deceased was bullied after she had made a comment on social media (Facebook) against her educator.
As a result, the educator and her husband took to Khutso’s home to bully her and threatened to destroy her over her remark on facebook then she later hanged herself.
Pabalelo said the family is saddened by the horrific passing of their loved one.
“We marched to the school to hand over a memorandum demanding the school to remove their teacher,” said Pabalelo.
Adding that bulling must be condemned and the perpetrator must face the full might of the law.
“We cannot continue to lose Young People like this,” said family spokesperson.
He confirmed that an intimidation case was opened for both the educator and her husband at Lebowakgomo Police station.
Meanwhile the department of Community Safety and Transport teamed up by the departments of Social Development held the Gender Based Violence and anti-bullying awareness campaign in Mecklenburg in the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Municipality in Sekhukhune recently.
The departments interacted with various community structures, NPOs and individual community members as government seeks to find a long lasting solution to the scourge of GBVF and anti-bullying.
President of the Defender of the People (DOP), Ruphos Mphahlele also weighed in condemning the incident leading to the death of Khutso
“I think something must be done against these people. We are expecting lots of good future from this poor kid. As DOP we are not going to leave any stone unturned. Rest in peace Khutso,” he said.
Pabalelo said the march was also awareness campaign to ensure learners learn under healthy environment.
Mabiletsa family would like to thank the members of the community for demonstrating the enormous support they received, said Pabalelo
