The Thohoyandou Children’s Court has postponed to Thursday the assault case against a 14-year-old Mbilwi Secondary School learner who is seen in a viral video repeatedly slapping fellow learner, Lufuno Mavhunga. Mavhunga later overdosed on pills and died.
NPA Limpopo Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, says the case did not sit today due to the non-availability of a magistrate. She says the only magistrate who was available today was the one who presided over the preliminary inquiry, and by law, a new magistrate must take over the case.
“At this stage the matter should be heard by a neutral magistrate to ensure a power balance between the interest of the prosecution and that of the child the previous magistrate knows the facts of the preliminary inquire, the matter has been rolled over the the 22 of April in order to have a new presiding officer and the docket should be taken to the office of the DPP to receive a certificate. This offence is a schedule two,” says Malabi-Dzhangi.
The accused minor is kept at a youth centre.
The learners who encouraged her during the assault have been suspended from school.
SABC News Reporter Katlego Nyoni has more on the suspensions:
The incident reignited the debate on bullying at South African schools and calls for solutions to the problem.
Dr. Saths Cooper discusses how this battle could be tackled:
