Parliament, Friday, 13 March 2026 – The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries has noted with sadness reports that a primary school child, Imibongo Ntamehlo, committed suicide as a result of bullying.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Makhi Feni, said the committee sends its deepest and heartfelt condolences to her family and the learners and educators at the school.
He said: “It is not normal that a learner as young as Imibongo will commit this kind of an act. We therefore are calling for a thorough investigation into this incident. Bullying is a challenge in our schools that educators should never be tired in fighting.”
Mr Feni continued: “Our children must find parental love and protection in schools. This is a sad story that will reflect on our system, and the better these kinds of incidents are attended to and resolved the better.”
On Thursday, reports indicated that a grade three student committed suicide due to bullying at school. The details are not readily available.
Mr Feni said the school and provincial and national departments of Basic Education must address bullying in schools to ensure incidents like this one never happen again. “The reality is that our schools lack social work and welfare services as well as learner security,” the Chairperson said.
Mr Feni said the committee will seek further information on this matter. “The province must assist the family with all in its power.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION SCIENCES AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, MR MAKHI FENI.
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