Outrage erupted at Daspoort Secondary School in Pretoria on Monday after Grade 12 learner Mpho Mabena died by suicide, amid serious allegations that he had been bullied by a teacher.

Pretoria Rekord reports Mpho’s body was found by his family in his bedroom on Friday morning before school.

Onwabile Lubhelwana, the spokesperson for Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile, confirmed Mpho’s death on Tuesday, saying they were investigating the matter. The bullying allegations have not been officially verified.

Allegations of bullying and classroom incident

In an emotional video interview with Kasi Lifestyle Updates, Mpho’s mother, Morongwa Mabena, said her son was a matric learner at Daspoort Secondary School and was known as a humble, respectful child.

“Even though we as parents are not with our children all the time when they are away from us, I do not believe he had a disrespectful side,” she said.

Morongwa said that last Monday (April 13), Mpho contacted his sister and told her that a teacher had allegedly assaulted him after he tried to correct the teacher.

Mpho’s sister, Basetsana Mathaba, said he had reportedly pointed out a spelling mistake to the teacher during class.

Watch the interview:

Mathaba alleged that the teacher assaulted him before ordering him out of the classroom.

She said Mpho went to the school office to report the matter, but was allegedly told that the principal was busy and that he should return to class.

According to her, he returned as instructed, but was later called back and told that the principal wanted to see him. She alleged that the teacher then accompanied him to the office.

Mathaba claimed that during the meeting, the teacher told the principal that Mpho had been using a cellphone in class, which led to the confrontation.

She further alleged that the principal did not fully investigate Mpho’s version of events and instead questioned why he had corrected the teacher.

According to Mathaba, the principal allegedly instructed Mpho to hand over his phone or face suspension.

She said he refused, returned to school the following day, and later allegedly told his family that the teacher was no longer marking his work.

She said Mpho continued attending school for the next two days and, when asked on Thursday whether the teacher was still mistreating him, he allegedly said yes.

She said that on Friday morning, as the family was preparing for the day, she was alerted by her mother’s screams and discovered Mpho’s body.

He did not leave a note.

Family raises concerns over school’s actions

In the Kasi Lifestyle Updates interview, Morongwa said she did not immediately go to the school after the April 13 incident because she expected the school would contact the family if there had been a serious disciplinary issue.

“I never went to the school as I thought they would send a WhatsApp message or some form of communication to call us in over the matter,” she said.

However, she added that the family received no communication from the school.

Petition and growing public reaction

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition was started by one of Mpho’s friends on Friday. It had garnered more than 4 000 signatures by Tuesday, with supporters calling for accountability and action in response to the bullying allegations.

The petition describes Mpho as a ‘young, calm, funny boy’, determined to change his situation at home. It says he had ‘visions, goals and dreams’ for his life.

The petition alleges that Mpho was repeatedly bullied by a teacher in class and that he went to the principal crying after being bullied ‘every day’. It further claims that the school failed its learners and calls for justice for Mpho’s family.

Fellow learners have taken to social media in the wake of Mpho’s death, with hashtags such as #JusticeForMabena trending.

By the time of publication, the Gauteng Department of Education had not yet issued an official statement.

Rekord attempted to obtain a comment from the school principal, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

Protest action at the school

Videos circulating on social media show that classes were disrupted as learners, friends and family protested outside the school on Monday.

Footage also appears to show learners breaking a palisade gate at the school and carrying it down the street during the protest.

Watch the video here:

Help available

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available; you do not have to face it alone. Speak to a trained counsellor or reach out to the services below:

24-hour toll-free emergency helplines

Suicide Crisis Helpline
0800 567 567

Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline
0800 12 13 14
SMS 32312

Cipla Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789
SMS 31393

NPOwer SA Helpline
0800 515 515
SMS 43010

Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline
0800 21 21 21
SMS 43001

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