Ganyesa, North West – The tragic death of Grade 10 learner Amantle Mocumi from Huhudi Agricultural Science Secondary School has sparked grief, outrage, and demands for urgent investigation from both the community and political organisations.

The North West Department of Education confirmed in a statement issued on 8 August 2025 that the 16-year-old collapsed during school hours and was transported to a local clinic, where she was declared dead. The Department described the incident as a “medical emergency” and said the cause of death remains unknown pending an investigation. It further stated that the school principal notified the learner’s parents and called for an ambulance, after which the learner’s mother and a teacher transported her to the clinic.

The Department expressed condolences to the family, schoolmates, and staff, and announced that psychosocial support services will be provided from 11 August 2025. MEC for Education Viola Motsumi urged cooperation with authorities, stating that “the wellbeing of our learners is our utmost priority.”

However, the family disputes the Department’s account. Speaking to local media, relatives alleged that Amantle collapsed and later died after being instructed by the principal to run across the schoolyard as a form of punishment. They said she had no known medical conditions or history of fainting. The family is calling for the principal’s immediate removal, and several community members have echoed that demand, citing concerns about what they claim is the fifth learner death at the school in the past five years — a statistic that has not been confirmed by the Department.

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On 12 August 2025, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Regional Task Team issued a strongly worded statement expressing condolences to the Mocumi family and criticising the handling of the incident. The ANCYL accused the Department of “covering up” for the principal and called on MEC Motsumi to suspend the principal pending the outcome of a forensic investigation. The statement also urged the Department to deploy educational psychologists to the school and to prioritise learner safety.

The Department has not yet responded to the ANCYL’s allegations or to questions regarding whether any precautionary suspension of the principal is being considered.

Unanswered questions remain, including:

• Whether the alleged disciplinary action took place.

• If there have been other learner deaths at the school in recent years.

• What immediate measures will be taken to address community concerns.

The investigation’s findings are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Amantle’s death. In the meantime, tensions in Ganyesa remain high, with both grief and calls for accountability growing in equal measure.

-The VIP Team 

-ANCYL NW

-NW Education 

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