Earlier today, TimesLIVE, a local news outlet reported that a fifteen-year-old South African girl commits suicide life after a video of her bullying incident circulated all over social media.
The deceased teen, identified as Lufuno Mavhunga, was a scholar at Mbilwi Secondary School, in the Limpopo province. The South African Human Rights Commission and Lufuno’s brother alleged that the victim was assaulted by the two bullies after one of them took issue with Lufuno blocking her on WhatsApp and Facebook. The bully had been sending her insulting messages on both sites before the deceased teen took action.
The two bullies appeared to be threatening Lufuno on video from the April 12 incident, with one of them hitting her several times. Lufuno is heard telling the bully, “You are hurting me,” as she tries to protect herself from the violence. The bully, on the other hand, ignores her cries and proceeds to beat her. Other students who witnessed the attack can be heard cheering the bully during the assault.
The victim’s brother, Dakalo Mavhunga, told TimesLIVE that after the incident, her sister had called him crying and told him what had happened. She also hinted that she may have failed an exam as a result of the attack. However, it happens that the school’s principal was aware but never bothered to investigate the matter.
“When she told me about the incident, she sent me a WhatsApp message, and I felt compelled to call her when I got off work. She continued to send messages while weeping,” Dakalo said. “I told her I’d try to contact her,” he added.
Dakalo says that when he asked her what was going on, she explained her devastation, stating how no one had even attempted to assist her. She further added that the incident disrupted her concentration and for that thought, she would fail her test.
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Lufuno Dies
According to the police report, Lufuno had succumbed after taking an overdose of tablets. It is alleged that on that day after the encounter, she went home and locked herself in her room. It was later that her mother walked into her room, only to find her unconscious. She immediately rushed her to Siloam Hospital. But unfortunately, she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Justice
Two days after Lufuno’s murder, the 15-year-old bully was apprehended. Police Spokesman, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo stated that the detained child would be dealt with in compliance with the Child Justice Act.
The suspect was also described as a serial bully who had been involved in previous incidents. Victor Mavhidula, office manager for the South African Human Rights Commission in Limpopo, told TimesLIVE, the perpetrator is considered to be a bully and began the behavior when she was still in grade 8. Mavhidula added that they were going to gather more information on the bullying incident.
“We also want to know if the department of education was aware of the incident and what was done about it, because if a student attacks anyone, the principal or teachers are supposed to help the student file a police report, which was not done. More so as the principal was informed of the altercation.”
Meanwhile, Lufuno’s family who conducted her burial on Saturday demanded justice for their daughter. Her brother described her as a peaceful person, saying her name means “love.”
“As her name suggests, she was a very happy and loving person. When she was slapped, she didn’t strike back; instead, she tried to clarify,” remarked her brother.
