Daily Sun (February 25 2014) - LEBOHANG, the little girl known for her laughter and friendly smile, spent the last week of her life in unbearable pain.
She had allegedly been kicked and beaten by three school bullies.
LEBOHANG'S TEARS DIDN'T STOP UNTIL SHE DIED IN THE ARMS OF HER HEARTBROKEN MOTHER.
On Friday, 14 February, Lebohang Makala (8) from Klipspruit, Soweto came home from school with swollen legs, limping in pain.
Lebohang's mum, Martha Makala (53), said her daughter told her three boys hit her for no reason when she was playing with other girls in the playground of Batsogile Primary School, where she was a grade two pupil.
"Lebohang said one of the boys hit her on the head with his fist," said Martha.
"She said the boys attacked her, threw her to the floor and kept on hitting her."
Martha said there were no teachers at the school at the time and the other children couldn't find anybody to help Lebohang, who by now was lying helplessly on the ground.
"She came home with swollen legs and there was some blood on her upper body. I took her to Baragwanath Hospital on Saturday where they took x-rays and gave her medication," said Martha.
But Lebohang was more seriously injured than the hospital had realised.
"My daughter's tummy started swelling," said Martha.
"She was crying in pain all day. She couldn't sleep and cried all night."
They took her back to hospital on Thursday and on Friday she died, a week after she was attacked. The doctors told Lebo's mum her daughter had excessive internal bleeding from the beating she sustained at the hands of her schoolmates.
"Lebo's death has left a hole in my heart.
"I loved her sense of humour. She kept everybody in the family smiling," said Martha.
Martha said there should have been somebody at the school when the attack took place.
"If there was an adult there at the time she being assaulted she wouldn't be dead now," she said.
"I also want to know why these boys attacked my daughter.
"She never fought with anyone at home or in the neighbourhood."
Lebohang's aunt, Anna Mabaleka (56), said the school never spoke to the family until they were told that Lebohang had died.
"The family was organising meetings with the families of the boys who assaulted Lebo, while the teachers did nothing," said Anna.
Lebohang's sister, Belina (26), said she used to help her young sister with her schoolwork.
"We joked and laughed as if we were the same age," said Belina.
Provincial spokeswoman for the department of education, Phumla Sekhonyane, said they were shocked at the news of Lebohang's death.
She said the department met the family yesterday and will make sure the family gets counselling.
"We will institute an independent investigation into the circumstances of this incident and will also find out why this matter was not reported to the department," said Sekhonyane.
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