GQEBERHA – A girl (12) has died after she was allegedly found hanging in her bedroom at a house in Zwide during the early hours of Sunday, with police opening an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, police were called to a house in Ngona Street, Zwide, at approximately 01:25 on Sunday, 28 June.

“It is alleged that police found the child, Siyamthanda Zalabe (12), lying on a bed after she had allegedly been found hanging from a curtain rail in her bedroom,” she said.

Janse van Rensburg said preliminary information indicates that the child’s mother had woken up to use the bathroom when she heard music coming from her daughter’s room.

“Upon entering the room, she allegedly found the child hanging from the curtain rail. She immediately called her husband for assistance. The parents took the child down and attempted to perform CPR, but she had already succumbed.”

She said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation and an inquest docket has been registered.

Janse van Rensburg added that police could not, at this stage, confirm speculation circulating on social media that the incident was linked to an online game or challenge, including one allegedly referred to as “Hangman”.

Investigators are exploring all possible circumstances.

Police have also urged parents and guardians to take an active interest in their children’s online activities by monitoring the content they access on social media and other online platforms, maintaining open communication about internet safety, and remaining alert to behavioural changes or exposure to potentially harmful online content or challenges.

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