Mthatha school closed after protest over pupil’s death turns violent

Teaching at a senior secondary school in Mthatha came to a standstill on Monday after pupils staged a protest that turned violent amid speculation about the death of a grade 12pupil. The 17-year-old, from a school in Ikhwezi, was found dead at her accommodation in a nearby township on April 29. Police confirmed her death and said they had recovered a suicide note.

The note reportedly indicated that the teenager had been distressed by accusations from fellow pupils that she was involved in a relationship with a teacher, which she denied. “We are faced with this tragedy, and now we are planning her burial … We are grieving and need privacy,” a family member said. The family said they were unaware of any relationship between their daughter and a teacher.

Despite this, tensions at theschoolescalated on Monday morning, with pupils protesting and demanding that action be taken against a teacher whom they accused of having inappropriate relationships with pupils. The protest quickly grew violent, with pupils blocking roads using burning tyres and logs and setting fire to a guardhouse, which was destroyed. Police were called to the scene and dispersed the protesters using teargas and rubber bullets.

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No injuries were reported. She didn’t deserve this. I never thought it would end this way Several pupils described the dead teenager as a disciplined pupil who had been under pressure in the days before her death.

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