El Shaddai learner commits suicide amid bullying allegations
Lerato Mochadibane (16), a Grade 10 learner at El Shaddai Christian School in Vanderbijlpark was allegedly bullied persistently, despite his father reporting the matter to the school.
SHARPEVILLE – The family of Lerato Mochadibane (16), a Grade10 learner at El Shaddai Christian School in Vanderbijlpark, is demanding accountability after he took his own life following years of alleged bullying.
According to his guardian and sister-in-law, Relebohile Moletsane, Lerato endured persistent physical and emotional abuse from fellow learners, despite the family repeatedly alerting the school.
“He was a chubby child. When he started boarding school in Grade Seven, he complained that other learners mocked his body and made degrading comments about his private parts. We decided to bring him back home.”
The family believed the situation had improved when Lerato became a day scholar in Grades Eight and Nine. However, in September, he was taken to the ICU after he attempted suicide, leaving a letter stating that he was being bullied. His father presented the letter to the school, requesting disciplinary action, but the family claims no steps were taken.
“A week after being discharged from the hospital, Lerato attended extra classes,” Moletsane said. “He called me on the Saturday, saying three pupils had assaulted him over a cap in front of a teacher. When his father arrived, the boys were still on the premises, but the school refused to identify them. The principal promised suspensions, but nothing happened.”
Lerato allegedly took poison on November 6. The family said they were in the process of transferring him to another school next year.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed the learner’s death, saying he fell ill at home and passed away on November 6. The department said that psychosocial support teams had been deployed to provide counselling to the family and school community.
The family disputes this, insisting Lerato died by suicide and that they have not received any counselling or official support.
The family has since told Ster North that they will be taking further action for the loss of their loved one. Lerato has been described as a calm, sweet child who loved his family.
Police spokesperson Constable Busisiwe Sango confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened for investigation.
