Mother of a girl who bullied Lufuno Mavhunga to death speaks live on TV, takes matter to next step

The meeting between the family of the late bullying victim Lufuno Mavhunga and the mother of the 14-year-old accused of assaulting her is almost organised, prominent Venda Chief Livhuni Matsila has said.

This comes after the mother of the 14-year-old issued a public apology on live television last week.

Speaking to the Pretoria News yesterday, Matsila, who is acting as mediator between the two families, said the meeting of reconciliation was supposed to have taken place last month, but the Mavhunga family needed more time to grieve.
He said: “The meeting is inevitable. It has only been prolonged because the Mavhunga family needed more time to grieve for their child. This is understandable.

“But the meeting is almost a done deal because of the mother’s public apology last week. The meeting will be held in due course. It’s just a question of when.”

The meeting is expected to be led by Matsila and pastors from the area.

During his first attempt at getting the families together, Matsila told the Pretoria News: “It’s important for the two families to reconcile in the best interest of society, so we can promote peace and have an attitude that says whatever happens people still need to hear one another and express their views in order for both families to heal.”

Last month, 15-year-old Mavhunga was buried in an emotionally charged funeral days after she took her own life following a video of her being repeatedly slapped by the fellow pupil, who is now out on R1 500 bail.

She was arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The teenager was released into the care of her mother two weeks ago after several weeks of spending time in a state place of safety.

Both girls attended school at Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa, Limpopo. The case was remanded to May 27.

Mavhunga’s suicide shocked the country last month and shone the spotlight on teenage bullying.

Family spokesperson Kenneth Mavhunga said they had not expected the accused to have received bail for her own safety. However, they were open to meet with the other family.

“She was supposed to have been kept inside for her own safety because even those who are not related to us were angry. If anything happens to her out there our family would be the first suspects. We have not resisted meeting with them, but we want it to be away from you guys (the media).”

He said Lufuno’s mother was still coming to terms with what happened, but taking it one day at a time.

“We are willing to meet them as long as they respect that the family is still in a grieving process, especially my mother.”

The mother of the accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her daughter because she is a minor, issued a public apology on live television last week.

She said: “I would do anything to bring her back because I cannot put the words together of how sorry I am that this happened. But my daughter is remorseful. She said to me the other day ’I should not have beat her’.

“I have made it clear to her that what she did broke my heart. I told her that she is in trouble and the whole family is in trouble because of her actions. But my daughter’s actions should not make her an animal; we hope her punishment would be equivalent to her crime.”

Life of Lufuno Mavhunga’s bully at risk – Concerns about her safety raised as she applies for bail

The safety of the pupil accused of assaulting Lufuno Mavhunga is at risk, the lead investigator in the case told a Limpopo court.

The investigating officer raised his concerns about the 14-year-old accused’s safety when he gave evidence in the Children’s Court, sitting in the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court.

The submission was made to explain why the accused should not be released on bail.

The minor can’t be identified in accordance with criminal procedure law.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the accused’s lawyer submitted arguments to the court in which they pleaded for her release on bail.

“The defence wants the minor to be released in the custody of her mother. The investigating officer then told the court that the minor was not safe after she was rescued from fellow pupils who wanted to attack her.

“The second witness, who is a teacher at the school, testified that the pupil was not a class prefect as her lawyer claimed. The State has closed its case,” MalabiDzhangi added.

The pupil was arrested after a video went viral on social media of the assault of 15-year-old Mavhunga, who took her own life days later.

The case continues on Thursday when the State and defence are expected to address the court on the merits of the case.

School girl who bullied Lufuno Mavhunga until she committed suicide to languish in jail

The case of a 14-year-old girl arrested in connection with the assault on schoolgirl Lufuno Mavhunga has been postponed to Thursday.

The teenager, who made her first court appearance on Friday, appeared again in the Thohoyandou children’s magistrate’s court on Tuesday for her bail application.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the matter will be rolled over for a new presiding officer.
“The matter of a child in conflict with the law could not continue today in the Thohoyandou children‘s court,” she said.

“At this stage, the matter will be heard by a neutral chair to ensure a power balance between the interest of the state and the interest of the child. The previous magistrate knows the facts of the preliminary inquiry. The defence submitted an affidavit and closed its case. The State called the investigating officer who testified that the child is not safe outside. He has given some incident, of which I will not be able to divulge, and [he said] it is also for the best interest of the child to be kept at a youth care centre.”

“The case will be rolled over to April 22 to have a new presiding officer, and the docket should be referred to the office of the director of public prosecutions to receive the certificate.”

News of Mavhunga’s death made headlines after the 15-year-old took her own life by overdosing on pills last week just hours after being beaten by another pupil.

The alleged assault was captured on video and it showed Mavhunga, who did not retaliate, being manhandled and slapped across her face multiple times by a fellow Mbilwi Secondary School pupil.

Other children could be heard cheering in the background, News24 reported.

Two pupils from the Limpopo school were suspended in connection with the alleged assault.

News24 also reported Mavhunga later apparently committed suicide.

According to Limpopo police, after the incident, Mavhunga went home, locked herself in a room, and consumed a large number of pills.

She was rushed to hospital and declared dead on arrival.

The teenager was subsequently arrested and charged with assault.