By Anita Dangazele
A mother’s hopes that her 17-year old son would survive have been shattered.
Anam Sishuba was doused with petrol and forced to jump into an open fire, allegedly by his school teacher, in September after he was accused of stealing the man’s chickens.
After two agonising months battling against the devastating burns, the 17-year-old finally succumbed to his injuries last Tuesday.
According to his mother, Nomzi Sishuba, 55, her son was always cheerful and full of energy when she visited him in hospital.
“He would always greet me first and ask how I was whenever I came to visit. But on Tuesday, he didn’t even respond when I greeted him. I called out his name and he did not respond. I always had hoped that he would survive,” said the grieving mother.
Anam was a Grade 9 pupil at Lavelilanga High School in Lady Frere, where the alleged perpetrator taught.
Nomzi said she was afraid now that her son had succumbed to his injuries, he would not receive any justice.
“I can see that this man is in a hurry to get out; he has been making bail applications ever since his arrest. I am pleading with the government to stand by my side. That man must not get bail,” Nomzi said.
Nomzi said the matter began about six months ago, when Anam and his friends allegedly stole three of the teacher’s chickens.
The teacher reported the learners to their parents and after a meeting with the families, the teacher agreed to let the matter go, saying: “Boys will be boys”.
“We had no idea he still harboured so much anger and resentment over the issue,” Nomzi said.
Apart from trying to get justice for her son, Nomzi said her biggest challenge at this point is finding the means to bury her son.
“I am unemployed and I was dependent on my son’s child support grant. At this point we have nothing because his death was unexpected. We thought he would survive and the only thing that was on our minds was how he would readjust to society — not arranging his funeral,” said the grieving mother.
Children’s rights activist, Petros Majola of Khula Development Project, who visited the family on Saturday, said the family was in great need of assistance.
“We ask anyone who can help the Sishuba family bury their son to come forward with whatever they can afford to donate,” Majola said.
Provincial Education MEC Fundile Gade said the teacher has since been discharged by the department and the matter had been reported to the South African Council for Educators. “May the family find solace in God during this trying time of their lives.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Baidu confirmed that the teacher is still in police custody and would appear in court soon for a formal bail application.
Anam will be laid to rest on 9 December at Zingqutu Village in Komani.
Pictured above: The dead boy’s mother, Nomzi Sishuba.
Image source: Supplied
