By OBAKENG MAJE
12 August 2025- The ANC Youth league in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has comes out guns blazing and calls on the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi to take drastic measures against the principal of Huhudi High School in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg.
This comes after a sudden death of a Grade 10 learner, Amantle Mocumi (16), who died at the school on 8 April 2025. It is alleged that the principal of the school instructed learners to run around the school backyard three times as a form of punishment.
It is alleged that some learners went out during school hours and the principal saw them hence the punishment. It is alleged that Amantle collapsed while running and the principal told her brother who reported the matter to him to pour his sister with water and she will wake up.
Now, Amantle’s death has caused widespread concern and prompted calls for action.
The ANCYL regional spokesperson, Tshwaro Sere said: “We are saddened by the passing of Amantle, who was supposed to be in class. Unfortunately, she was subjected to physical activity as if she had undergone military training.
“We as the ANCYL, we want to put it categorically clear that the North West Department of Education must thoroughly investigate this matter and make a proper pronouncement in regard to the behaviour of the educator, who was involved.”
Sere further said they request members of the community at large to remain calm as the law enforcement agencies and ANCYL get to the bottom of these shenanigans. He added that they sympathise with the family of the deceased and call on the North West Provincial Government to provide the necessary support to them.
The Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta shared the same sentiments. Makaneta told SABC News that the untimely death of Amantle is a cause for great concern.
“There is no doubt that corporal punishment has been redefined by BELA Act, whereby it should not be used as a force of violence against the learners.
“We cannot have this type of approach or discipline that actually takes away the dignity of a child. Corporal punishment has been defined under the new law. However, it is most unfortunate that teachers in various schools apply this disciplinary measure, which you find not in line with the laws of the country,” he said.
Makaneta said they call on all law enforcement agencies to work around the clock to ensure that justice is served for the deceased learner. He also calls on the North West Department of Education to take South Africans in confidence and come out clear in terms of what actions will be taken against the school and in particular against the teacher who is found wanting.
“Actions should be taken against the teacher who ensured that this type of punishment was administered. There is clearly a need for justice to prevail because if you look at it thoroughly, the demise of the learner could have been prevented if the authority in the school did something, instead of making learners run without knowing their medical conditions.
“So, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi and District officials should go to the school and redefine their position to what could happen next,” said Makaneta.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a learner. According to preliminary reports, the learner experienced a medical emergency during school hours.
“The principal immediately notified the learner’s parents and called for an ambulance. The learner’s mother arrived at the school, while awaiting emergency services and together with a teacher, transported the learner to the nearest clinic, where she sadly passed away.”
The Guardian 