The family of Lethabo Sibanda, the Grade 12 pupil who was stabbed and killed by a fellow learner in Rustenburg, North West, feel aggrieved and say they have taken exception to claims that their son was a bully.
Allegations of Sibanda’s bullying surfaced at a parents meeting where the headmaster Edward Langberg raised concerns about the behaviour of the pupils at the school calling it a wayward culture that includes drugs, bullying and absenteeism from school.
A parent at the meeting alleged the bereaved family had ignored complaints of Sibanda’s bullying and she had to open a criminal case against the pupil.
The parent talked of how her child had to receive medical treatment at great cost after being attacked by the Sibanda.
However, Sibanda’s uncle Aaron Sibanda said an offer to help with the hospital bills was rejected by the family, adding that the family is deeply aggrieved at the manner in which the Department of Education and the school management handled their son’s case, especially at the parents meeting which was held on Tuesday.
He said the Sibanda family tried to meet the mother of the pupil whom Sibanda fought with but she turned them down.
“We are disappointed at how other parents were given a platform at the meeting to defame our family, in our absence or at least given a chance to say our side of the story.
“It is completely unacceptable, and bear in mind that we’re mourning the untimely death of our son, we have lost a son, we will never see him again. We shall however wait and let the law take its course, as many aspersions are cast to prevent the real truth from being known,” said Aaron.
Aaron also said the family will take legal action against those who spoke ill of their child and will sue for defamation of character.
A memorial service for Sibanda is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 8, at Tsitsing Stadium, while his funeral is planned for the weekend.
Lethabo was stabbed on Friday, June 2, at the Rustenburg bus rank by a fellow learner. The suspect is in police custody and will appear again at the Rustenburg Magistrate Court on June 12.
