Author: ECDOE
Date: 21 November 2021

COSAS Eastern Cape PEC stance on the recent passing of a learner at Bhisho High School as a result of ill-treatment and bullying.

As COSAS in the Eastern Cape we have learnt with shock the passing of an innocent learner who schooled at Bhisho High School where she felt a victim of bullying and ill-treatment from both her educator and her fellow classmates.

It is with such behaviour that we have now learnt that learners are immediately disuniting due to bullying and ill-treatment amongst themselves.

Due to all harsh conditions that the learner was put under by her classmates and her educator, she saw no other solution than to commit suicide. She was accused of witchcraft and judged for the fact that she had a traditional gift.

According to the perpetrators, her only mistake was to practice and reveal to them what she truly was.

As we condemn such behaviour at school we would like to call upon the department of basic education to take a stand and guard against such actions from it's employees especially the teachers and the principals.

This is therefore an act if violence and requires immediate action from the department of basic Education. Guidance must be given to learners of the whole school and the teachers who were involved in standing against the learner must immediately be given retribution.

As things may stand, Lathitha did leave behind evidence of how she felt as she sent a voice note to her dear friend.

We have made an acknowledgement of a majority of factors that are causing such uncertainties amongst learners and we therefore demand accountability.

An individual task must be handed to an individual person by the department of basic education for full accountability for the issue.

The family must be satisfied with all responses to the issue coming from the department and the school as well.

We condemn all acts of bullying at school and outside school by learners and furthermore would like to urge teachers to be more of an encouragement to learners than a road to a grave.

Teachers have for so many years been abusive and quite bitter towards learners, evidence of harsh punishments and violence towards learners by teachers has for so many years been seen by the public and so in this particular time we would like to call for an end of such.

We encourage unity, discipline, respect and utmost peace amongst all learners across the province of the Eastern Cape for it shines brighter when it's young ones show the light.

Deepest condolences to the Nako family and may the soul of the innocent Lathitha rest in everlasting peace.

Provincial Chairperson, Zama Mvula
065 650 3553

Provincial Secretary
Unesongo Matikinca
060 939 6191
cosasofficeec@gmail.com