The community of Mapate outside Thohoyandou is calling for urgent intervention after a 13-year-old learner allegedly attempted to take her own life following reported bullying at school.
The Grade 8 learner at Tshilavhutume Secondary School is recovering at home after she reportedly took an overdose of expired blood pressure pills belonging to her grandmother last Wednesday. The case has heightened concerns about learner safety and mental health in schools across the Vhembe district.
According to the family, the girl had allegedly been bullied by three fellow learners who mocked her body and her family’s financial background. The ordeal reportedly pushed her to the brink.
Her grandmother said she was shocked when she received a call from the school principal asking her to come to the school urgently.
“When I arrived, she was in great pain and vomiting. I had to rush her to the hospital and later discovered that she had taken an overdose of my old pills,” she said.
The learner was admitted to hospital for three days and is now continuing her recovery at home.
However, the family has expressed frustration over how the situation was handled.
“I am very disappointed with the way the matter was handled. I struggled to get transport to take her to hospital while the school continued with its activities. The incident happened right at the school gate. What pains me most is that I had to pay for transport myself and no one has checked on her since she was admitted,” said the grandmother.
She also raised concerns about the child falling behind with her schoolwork while other learners continue writing tests.
The matter has sparked wider concern among community organisations, which say bullying is becoming increasingly common in local schools.
Phathutshedzo Mukhaninga from the Musikitedzi organisation said they were deeply concerned about the growing number of bullying cases in the district.
“We have been alerted to this case and advised the family on the steps to take. Urgent intervention is needed before another learner’s life is lost,” he said.
The case has also revived painful memories of previous tragedies involving learners in the Vhembe district linked to bullying.
Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed that the department had received the complaint and that the matter had been escalated to the Vhembe District Office. “We are gathering more information before issuing a full statement,” he said.
As the community awaits answers, many are calling for stronger anti-bullying measures, better support systems for learners and swift action from authorities to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for children.
Shortly before publication, Limpopo Mirror learned that a meeting between stakeholders had taken place at the school, where it was resolved that the learner would return and be given an opportunity to complete the tests she had missed.
The newspaper contacted the school principal for comment. She initially ended the call after saying she was driving. When the journalist phoned again to ask whether questions could be sent to her, she declined and ended the call. She did not respond to subsequent calls. Questions were sent to her but remained unanswered at the time of publication.