Bafana Sithole || He was intimidated and humiliated
Learners from Hoorskool Kriel High School took to the streets to be heard in their call for justice for Bafana Sithole, a grade 11 learner from the school who is 17 years old.
Bafana Sithole committed suicide on the school’s premises on Thursday, November 17. He was found hanging in the school’s classroom storage by one of the educators. The attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead.
After being falsely accused of rape by a classmate who later claimed she was joking, Sithole committed suicide.
He allegedly became depressed as a result of bullying he received from not just the students but also the principal and deputy principal following the fake rape accusation.
It is claimed in a statement that has gone viral that he was bullied, degraded, and stripped of his badge of honour. Additionally, it is claimed that his awards were taken, and neither his parent nor the South African Police Service (SAPS) were involved by the school in this case.
If only Hoërskool Kriel High School had listened to his side of the story maybe Bafana Sithole would still be alive today but the School didn’t help instead Hoërskool Kriel High School helped in destroying Bafana’s life. #JusticeForBafanaSithole pic.twitter.com/bzbl6GqHXb
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) November 21, 2022
Sithole is also said to have written a heartfelt suicide note to his mother in which he describes how the unfounded accusations have affected his mental and emotional well-being.
Many are calling for the girl who made the false rape accusations to be charged for Bafana Sithole’s murder as the hashtag #JusticeforBafanaSithole continues to gain popularity.
In a nation where gender-based violence against women and children is a serious problem, the government works tirelessly to combat it. Leveling such grave accusations against someone is completely unacceptable.
Also read: Bafana Sithole’s last words after false rape accusations