Shock, grief and growing concern have once again engulfed the Daspoort Secondary School community in Gauteng after the death of another Grade 12 learner was reported today — less than a month after the tragic passing of learner Mpho Mabena, whose death allegedly followed an incident involving a teacher at the school.
The latest incident involves Grade 12 learner Siyakha Mhlanga, who allegedly took her own life. News of her passing spread rapidly across social media on Tuesday, leaving fellow learners, teachers and community members devastated. Tributes and messages of condolence have continued pouring in as many struggle to process yet another tragic loss within the same school community.
The incident comes less than a month after allegations surrounding the death of learner Mpho Mabena sparked outrage and calls for accountability. According to claims widely shared online, Mabena was allegedly mistreated by a teacher before reportedly approaching the school principal for assistance. Community members further alleged that no meaningful intervention followed and that the emotional distress he experienced may have contributed to his passing.
At the time, social media campaigns demanding justice for Mabena gained traction, with some learners and residents calling for action to allegedly be taken against individuals implicated in the matter. The incident reportedly left tensions high within the community, with many questioning whether more could have been done to support the learner.
Now, following the reporting of another learner death in less than a month, concerns around learner wellbeing, mental health support and school intervention systems have intensified. Community members say the tragedies have allegedly exposed deeper issues surrounding emotional support structures available to learners facing distress.
Calls are now mounting for the Department of Education and relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate both incidents, while residents continue urging schools to strengthen counselling services and create safer spaces where learners feel heard and protected.
As mourning continues across the Daspoort community, many are left heartbroken and searching for answers amid two devastating incidents that have shaken the school to its core.
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