A matriculant suffered an epileptic fit and died a day after he was bullied at school.
Now Leboang Arnolds’ family say they have opened a case against the 10 boys who allegedly attacked the teen and shoved his head in the toilet at Vusisizwe Secondary School in Worcester.
The 19-year-old was involved in a fight at school on 21 May and his punishment was to clean the toilets.
His aunt Thobeka Gxilishe, 38, says: “Leboang had a fight in school and the principal informed his father and he was supposed to pay the doctor’s fees and my nephew was told he would clean the toilets. The other child’s parents were also told about this.
“And on 25 May when the punishment commenced, Leboang was in the bathroom cleaning when a group of kids approached him and started assaulting him, while other kids watched; he came home and told his father.”
She explains that the next day the matriculant died at school.
“His father went to the principal and reported the matter and he was promised that there would be a parents meeting, unfortunately Leboang died hours after that.
“He had an epileptic fit, one of the educators called his father to let him know, but he was in Tulbagh and instead called his brother to go to the school.
“The ambulance was only called when he (the brother) arrived, two hours later, because according to their protocol, a family member must give permission first.
“The whole time Leboang was in a fit and no one could help him.”
The grieving aunt says the death certificate states that Leboang’s death was unnatural.
“He died from the injuries he incurred when he was beaten up at the school. He was beaten mostly on the head.
“And we need answers and actions taken against those responsible for my nephew’s death.”
Western Cape Educational spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says they are aware of the incident.
“A disciplinary hearing was held last week. The WCED is waiting for the SGB to finalise the report. If the SGB recommends expulsion, the SGB will submit this recommendation to the Head of Department for his consideration,” she says.
SAPS’ FC van Wyk confirms a case of murder is now under investigation: “No arrest as yet, investigation continues.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za