Mother of bullied and now-deceased Thokoza pupil says teacher's school return is a threat

JOHANNESBURG - The mother of a 12-year-old boy who committed suicide after being bullied by his teacher for being gay, says the educator’s return to the school is a threat to other pupils.

On Wednesday, Ntombi Mbatha joined community members and activists outside a primary school in Thokoza, east of Johannesburg, to protest against the teacher's return. 

In 2023, Sibusiso Mbatha wrote a letter to his family, indicating that he had been bullied by the deputy principal at school.

The man was suspended from his position for two months without pay and was reinstated in September.

The protestors peacefully gathered outside the school on Wednesday morning, police, however, dispersed them.

The group claimed this was an attempt to silence their call for justice.

Mbatha’s mother said the protest was part of protecting other children at the school after school resumes.

The crowd has dispersed for now, but they’ve vowed to return on Monday, determined to make their voices heard.