The mother of a 15-year-old boy who presumably committed suicide after allegedly being bullied at school, says she has many unanswered questions after his death.
Akonaho Masikhwa, a Grade 9 learner at Bababa Secondary School in Ha Luvhimbi, outside Thohoyandou, had an altercation with another learner at school. He went home after classes and was later found hanging inside the house. He had left a suicide note.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 10 September, at around 18:00. It is not an isolated case in the Vhembe District, where several similar incidents have been reported in recent months.
The boy's grief-stricken mother, Ms Jane Masikhwa, said his death had come as a shock. "He never complained of anything, but we were surprised as he did not show any signs of stress on that fateful day or prior to that. His death came as a shock to us as a family. What we learnt is that he had an altercation with another learner. I do not have much information, but he left a note saying his goodbyes to his friends, family and he also mentioned two educators," she said.
Ms Masikhwa said she was left with many unanswered questions. "I have a feeling something sinister happened on that particular day. Three educators and the circuit manager visited us to pay their condolences but never said anything about the incident," she said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket had been opened.