It’s barely a month into the 2024 academic year and a number of learners have already lost their lives.
Siyabonga Mngomezulu (16) a Grade 10 learner from Brookdale Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal, was allegedly stabbed to death outside the school gate by a Grade 8 learner after an alleged altercation broke out during lunch time.
A source present at the scene, who was comfortable to speak to the Mngomezulu family shared that the alleged fight began during lunch time when the two learners had a misunderstanding and hit one another.
“It shocked us as a family to hear that Siyabonga was involved in a fight at school because he barely said a word and loved laughing even when teased at home,” his sister, Nqobile Sibahle Msezane said.
Mngomezulu’s family described him as someone who would not hurt a fly. They expressed their hurt and sadness that he lost his life to an alleged argument at school.
Msezane, who speaks on behalf of the family regarding this matter, stated that the school has not communicated anything pertaining to the events leading to the death of their deceased family member.
“The school only called to tell us that Siyabonga was taken to hospital. No further explanation was given to us. We were only informed about the alleged fight which led to his death by a source who would like to remain anonymous,” Msezane said.
Msezane says she was sad to hear about how her brother was treated after the alleged stabbing incident. He allegedly bled for three hours without receiving any aid on the school premises, until an educator, along with a member of the cooking team, took him to a local clinic for medical assistance.
The cook told the family that Mngomezulu’s last words to her were: “Please take my house keys and give them to my younger siblings, I am departing now.” He passed away in the early hours of Saturday, the 3rd of February 2024.
Muzi Mahlambi who speaks on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education said the matter will be handled by the police.
Slindile Mzimela, who is an aunt to the late Mngomezulu, explained that the family has opened a case against the boy who allegedly stabbed her nephew. He has been in police custody since the evening of Sunday, the 4th of February 2024.
Mngomezulu’s mother, Thembeka Mngomezulu, described her son as a young man with not many words. She said the family is waiting for a formal report from the school.