The Maimela family is demanding justice after their 20-year-old son, Joseph, a Grade 12 pupil at Kgabo Secondary School outside Polokwane, Limpopo, tragically took his own life.
Joseph’s death, which occurred on Saturday, 5 October, is alleged to be the result of relentless bullying he endured at school, primarily at the hands of his teachers, since June of this year.
Joseph’s body was discovered near his home in Ga-Mokgokong Village, where he is believed to have died by strangulation. He left behind a poignant letter detailing the emotional and psychological abuse he suffered, naming the teachers he accused of bullying and requesting that they not attend his funeral. The letter also included a request that the pupils who had bullied him also stay away from his funeral.
Joseph’s sister, Lerato, described the family’s devastation and anger. “We're very devastated and hurt. The school has killed our brother. We're struggling to cope and come to terms with Joseph’s death,” she said, adding that Joseph was a quiet individual and that the family had not noticed any signs of his distress.
The final incident that pushed Joseph over the edge, according to Lerato, was a teacher publicly revealing his failing third-term report card to the class, leading to further taunting and bullying from his peers.
Lerato expressed deep concern for Joseph’s younger brother, who is currently in Grade 11 at the same school: “We're worried because Joseph’s younger brother is doing grade 11 at the same school. We don’t know if he'll be able to cope after this or if he'll be bullied as well. We're thinking of taking him out of the school.”
The family’s call for justice is clear and unwavering: “The teachers should be fired, and they must also bury Joseph,” Lerato stated. Joseph is survived by his young child, mother, and five siblings. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
The Limpopo Department of Education has responded to the tragedy with a statement from MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya expressing sadness at Joseph’s passing and promising a thorough investigation.
"Allegations of ill treatment by school administrators as reported will be thoroughly investigated. We want to make it clear that we will leave no stone unturned until we get the final outcomes of what exactly led to this unforeseen incident,” she said.
Meanwhile, Limpopo police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that an inquest docket is under investigation.
"We are currently interviewing several individuals regarding this sensitive matter. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under police investigation, and no foul play is suspected," he said.
The police investigation will run concurrently with the Department of Education's inquiry into the allegations of teacher bullying.
