MEC visits family of assault victim Siphamandla Choma
There were tears and sorrow on Tuesday morning at the Middelburg home of Siphamandla Choma, the 14-year-old boy who died after he was allegedly assaulted by his school's principal, when a government delegation led by Mpumalanga Basic Education MEC Reginah Mhaule visited his family.
Mhaule assured the family that her department would work with every organ involved in the investigation to ensure that justice was served for the family.
She said the African National Congress, individuals and various structures of the government in the province would cover the cost of the funeral and make arrangements to secure a better house for the family.
"We will buy the coffin and food, but this does not mean we are celebrating. We are mourning with the family," said Mhaule.
"We visited him [Siphamandla] at the hospital and did whatever we could. What happened now has defeated us. We promised to make sure that the child moved to a better house when he was discharged from the hospital, and we will keep that promise. We will not run away but walk with you until this matter is concluded. I'd like to see the Human Settlements MEC [Speedy Mashilo] come here to see the house in which the mother stays."
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Siphamandla was allegedly assaulted by the principal of his primary school in the Mhluzi township late last year, after he was accused of stealing R150. The principal was suspended and was facing a disciplinary hearing within the department on a charge of misconduct.
On Tuesday, Mhaule was accompanied by, among others government dignitaries, the mayor of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mike Masina.
About 50 local members of the community, some of whom clad in ANC attire, also gathered at the home long before the government entourage arrived.
The government dignitaries briefly sat in a house in front of Siphamandla's mother Christine Choma and her aunt, Sophy Masha, and sang a song to console the family. The two grief-stricken women shed tears and appeared to be too traumatised to speak.
Mhaule later told the family and members of the community outside the house not to worry about the frequent presence of ANC members at Siphamandla's home. She said this was because she and other government officials were delegated by the ANC to the home.
She said her department would also send a team to Manyano Primary School to provide counselling to Siphamandla's former schoolmates as "they were traumatised by his death".
Mhaule urged school teachers and principals to avoid meting out corporal punishment to pupils as it was illegal to do so. She also appealed to the parents to refrain from encouraging teachers to use corporal punishment to punish their children in schools.
The postmortem on Siphamandla's body would be conducted on Thursday.
Siphamandla's uncle, Johannes Choma, asked the government delegation to allow them to bury Siphamandla on April 1.
Several local residents spoke fondly of Siphamandla, with one resident Mike Sindane describing him as an ambitious and respectful boy.
"I wish he never died. He was a friendly boy who looked forward to a good future," said Sindane.
Mpumalanga provincial secretary of the South African Students Congress, Bethuel Zunguza, said the student body would also ensure that Siphamandla's family got justice.