Tragic Bullying Horror: Eastern Cape Girl, 8, Takes Her Own Life After Being Tormented By Schoolmates

A small Eastern Cape community has been left devastated after an eight-year-old pupil allegedly took her own life following ongoing bullying.

Imibongo Ntamehlo, a learner at Gxulu Junior Secondary School in Libode, outside Mthatha, is believed to have hanged herself at home on Sunday after enduring months of mistreatment by other pupils.

Her mother, Sisipho Ntamehlo, said she was at church when the tragic incident occurred.

“I was in church when it happened,” she said. “She asked the younger children who were with her to go outside. When they later realised she was motionless, they called a man from the neighbourhood.”

Sisipho said the devastating news came as a shock to the family.

“I was shocked because there were no signs she was suicidal. She never even threatened to [do so].”

Bullying Over Poverty and Isolation at School

According to Sisipho, her daughter had been repeatedly mocked and bullied by fellow pupils at school, often because the family struggled financially.

“She was isolated for carrying R2 at school while others had R10. We are struggling because I’m unemployed,” she explained.

The young girl often spent break time alone. “During break time she would stand by the classroom or play alone because she was isolated. I told her that’s not normal and I will go to the school speak to her teacher. She didn’t have friends at all.”

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Sisipho said the harassment did not stop once school ended. Her daughter was allegedly targeted while travelling to and from school as well.

“On their way from and to school she was also bullied. While on the transport from and to school, other pupils would beat her up and force her to create space for them.”

Despite confronting some of the pupils involved, the bullying allegedly continued.

“I would go and confront those bullies and warned them to refrain from bullying my child because she wants education just like them. They would beat her up for things that didn’t make sense.”

In one incident, another pupil reportedly snatched her bread, threw it on the ground and stepped on it. Sisipho said she raised the issue with the child’s parent.

“The parent apologised and I understood because it’s not something the parent would have liked the child to do.”

Teacher Had Tried to Help Days Before Tragedy

Sisipho said she had also approached the school regarding the bullying incidents.

In one case, other pupils allegedly misled her daughter by telling her that the teacher had instructed her to clean the board, which resulted in her receiving corporal punishment when the instruction had not actually been given.

“I had to go to school to discuss the matter with the teachers. The child who set up my child eventually got punished.”

According to Sisipho, the teacher had attempted to improve her daughter’s situation.

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“The teacher understood my daughter’s situation and even arranged for to have friends. She confirmed she was alright and had friends. That was on Friday — before she [took her own life] on Sunday.”

Sisipho said she sometimes tried to resolve incidents directly with other parents instead of escalating matters at the school.

“I would go to the parent of a child who had wronged my child and try to address the matter.”

The young pupil will be laid to rest in Gxulu village on March 21.