THE Lefatshe and Baloyi families are devastated and unable to come to terms with sudden death of their son (13).
The boy's death is allegedly linked to bullying by his teacher at Phutha Primary School in Klipgat, North West.
Rehomoditswe Baloyi, who was also known as Little Mafatshe, died on Friday, 16 February.
According to Rehomoditswe's father Michael Mafatshe, he received a call about the incident when he was at work and rushed home to find his son had taken his own life.
Michael said his son hung himself with his younger sister's gown belt.
"I'm frightened. My wife is battling to sleep, and she can't speak. It's really too much for me," he said.
The grief-stricken father said he's thinking of taking his wife to the doctor because he doesn't want to lose her as well.
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Michael said Rehomoditswe, who was his last-born child, never complained to him or his wife, adding that they had only learnt that the bullying had been going on for a long time.
"His friend who shared a desk with him explained that the teacher chased him out of class because he didn't have a pen. He said he made fun of his height and told him that we are poor and even if he dies, we won't be able to bury him," he said.
Michael said his son's body is still in the government mortuary and they're waiting for the post-mortem results before taking him to their family mortuary.
"Right now, I'm concentrating on burial preparations with my family. However, I'll take the matter forward once my son is buried," said the father.
He said that he was bitten by a swarm of bees a day before his son's death, which was a bad omen.
Rehomoditswe's aunt, Refilwe Nkosi, described her nephew as a hyperactive child who would go to the store without hesitation.
"He used to enjoy football a lot because he was short. I used to call him Tshi-tshi," she said.
The North West Department of Education said it is with great sadness that Education MEC Viola Motsumi was informed that a grade 7 pupil, Regomoditswe Baloyi, committed suicide on Friday, 16 February.
"We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the family and wish them strength during this terrible time. The parents of a learner committed to providing the school and department with a report on what the learner went through once they had a forensic report. Investigations are proceeding into the circumstances surrounding Baloyi's death. The department will continue to provide counselling services to the school," said the department's spokeswoman, Mphata Molokwane.
Molokwane said the situation is under control for now around the community of Klipgat and they will continue to monitor it going forward.
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