A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the community of Sharpeville after a 16-year-old Grade 10 learner from El Shaddai Secondary School took his own life, reportedly due to relentless bullying at school.
The learner, identified as Lerato, had been subjected to ongoing emotional and verbal abuse from fellow classmates. According to his family, Lerato had repeatedly complained about being bullied, yet no decisive action was taken by the school authorities to protect him. Instead, his loved ones claim that the principal allegedly shielded the bullies, allowing the torment to continue unchecked.
Lerato’s mental health had deteriorated significantly over the past few months. In September, he reportedly attempted to take his own life and was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After recovering, he returned to school in hopes of resuming a normal life — but the bullying allegedly resumed almost immediately.
Friends and relatives say Lerato grew increasingly withdrawn, struggling to cope with the abuse and the lack of support from school officials. His family revealed that before taking his own life on Thursday, he left behind a heartbreaking note expressing his deep sadness and exhaustion from being constantly mistreated.
Although no incidents of physical assault were confirmed, Lerato allegedly endured continuous emotional and psychological torment, and there were even reports of sexual harassment that were not adequately addressed by school management. His loved ones believe these ignored cries for help ultimately pushed him over the edge.
The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the Sharpeville community, sparking outrage among parents and calls for accountability from the Department of Education. Community members have accused the school of negligence and failure to enforce proper anti-bullying measures. They are demanding a full investigation into how a young learner’s repeated pleas for help were ignored until it was too late.
Bullying continues to be a major concern in South African schools, with many learners suffering in silence out of fear of victimization or disbelief. Experts warn that cases like Lerato’s highlight the urgent need for schools to provide safe spaces, mental health support, and effective disciplinary systems to protect vulnerable learners.
Mental health professionals emphasize that bullying can have devastating psychological effects on young people — including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. They urge parents, educators, and peers to take any signs of distress seriously and to act quickly when a child reports being bullied.
Lerato’s death is a painful reminder of the importance of compassion, vigilance, and proactive intervention. His family describes him as a bright, respectful boy with big dreams — dreams now tragically cut short by cruelty that could have been prevented.
As the community mourns, calls grow louder for justice and for schools to be held accountable for failing to protect the learners in their care. Lerato’s story must serve as a wake-up call to ensure that no other child ever feels that suicide is the only escape from their suffering.
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