Emotions took over in a sombre and emotionally charged
farewell as friends and family paid their last respects for the 15-year-old
teenager, Lufuno Mavhunga today.
The Mbilwi Secondary School learner took her life following
the torment of a bullying incident showing the perpetrator assaulting her,
which subsequently went viral on social media.
Mavhunga overdosed on pills shortly after the assault
and later died at the Siloma Hospital this week.
The funeral service saw Lufuno’s brother, Kenneth Mavhunga express deep feelings of concern on the lack of a holistic approach to deal with the scourge of bullying society.
“There was someone’s child that was assaulting my sister. I
believe that that child comes from a certain family, and there are parents in
that family, that is why I am bringing it back to you as families that maybe
it’s high time we understand our children and make sure we are involved in
raising them,” he said
He further slated the creation of hashtag that bring nothing
but social media hype with little comfort for the families of victims and often
time in bad taste.
“We need authorities and leaders to come up with solutions,
teachers and parents to work together in instilling good morals in children,”
he added.
The 14-year-old learner seen in the video assaulting Lufuno
has since been charged with assault and will be appearing in the Thohoyandou
family law court on Tuesday, April 20.
Meanwhile, three other learners who shot the video and can
be heard cheering on the accused have been suspended from the school, pending
disciplinary proceedings.
