Devastated mum Zandile Thombeni. Photo by Khaya Masipa
TWO best friends, Mpho Thombeni (15) and her 13-year-old friend, have allegedly been planning their deaths.Â
On Monday, 12 August, they allegedly planned to leave this world.Â
On Sunday, 11 August, one of them, Mpho, was seen by friends buying Galephirime (rat poison) at a shop. Â
Mpho’s mum Zandile Thombeni said her daughter lied to her friends that she bought the poison to kill rats at her home.Â
According to their WhatsApp chats, seen by the SunTeam, the two friends planned their suicide at a Tsakane school in Ekurhuleni on Monday.Â
They allegedly bought chips and sprinkled Galephirime on them to eat during their lunch break. Â
Sadly, Mpho died, but her friend survived.Â
The friend was admitted to Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane where she’s fighting for her life. Â
“We’re told that after eating chips, Mpho dropped dead, and her friend managed to walk to the staff room to seek help,” said Mpho’s friend’s aunt. Â
Mpho Thombeni shocked her family after she committed suicide.
The surviving friend’s mum said her daughter attempted suicide twice two weeks ago.Â
“She swallowed a bunch of pills, and when she got home, she experienced a runny stomach and was vomiting,” said the mum.Â
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She said her daughter was rushed to a local clinic and survived. Â
A few days later, Mpho’s friend made another suicide attempt but was caught red-handed.Â
“She took the pills she planned to swallow from her mouth and tossed them on top of the roof. Some of them fell to the ground, and we saw white-and-yellow-coloured pills. I picked them up and flushed them in the toilet, and warned her to stop, but I guess we were wrong.Â
“Buhle doesn’t want to be called to order. She usually gets upset and threatens us that she would kill herself,” she said.Â
Her family fears that she’ll finally succeed, as her friend is dead.Â
Zandile said the family was shocked because her daughter was a bubbly child, and never saw any signs as she was always happy.Â
“On Friday, it was my birthday, and we were celebrating, and there was nothing wrong. She was the baby of the family. We loved her,” Zandile said.Â
She said she usually escorted her daughter to school, but on Monday, she decided not to go with her and told her how much she loved her.Â
“I’m heartbroken and don’t have strength to speak about it.”Â
Mpho’s friend’s aunts wait with bated breath as the friend is fighting for her life in hospital. Photo by Khaya Masipa
She said when she received a call on Monday, she decided not to go but send Mpho’s elder brother, Tumelo Thombela (22) to the school.Â
The brother said when he arrived at the school, he was ushered to the staffroom and found her sister lying on the floor.Â
“I look at her body, turned against the wall and cried,” said Tumelo.Â
Captain Nelda Sekgobela, spokeswoman for Ekurhuleni District Police, confirmed an inquest docket was opened at Tsakane Police Station.Â
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he has been heartbroken by the loss of another pupil.Â
On Monday only, the department reported four pupils died.Â
Three were siblings from Evaton Primary School in Vaal.Â
He strongly encourages pupils to seek help from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group by calling their 24-hour helpline on 0800 68 78 88, if they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, rather than turning to such tragic action. Â
“Support is available, and no one should face their challenges alone. We’re heartbroken by the tragic loss of these young lives,” said Chiloane.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and school communities affected by these devastating incidents. Our psycho-social support team will be dispatched to provide necessary support to everyone involved during this difficult time.”Â
Ntebatse Masipa
www.snl24.com
