Nhlanhla Tshabalala was a 15-year-old pupil who was allegedly beaten to death by a teacher and another staff member because he was carrying a toy gun.

According to Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi who visited the boy’s family on Monday, Nhlanhla Tshabalala had gone to fetch his bag at Tsakane Secondary School on the East Rand on Tuesday when a scuffle ensued after staff members tried to take his toy gun.

“In the process, the child was seriously harmed and attacked using a golf stick and other things. According to the school, after retrieving the gun, they called the police and handed over the learner to the police in a good state.

“Police, because of his age, could not arrest him, and they brought him to his home. We need to get from police the state in which they left him when they left him here. Because of those grey areas and unexplained activities. We will appoint an independent person just to interview everyone and get the necessary evidence. On the basis of that evidence, if we need to act, we will act decisively as a department,” Lesufi said.

But Nhlanhla’s family said he first went to the school on Monday where a scuffle ensued with other pupils. His father Oupa Tshabalala said his cellphone and schoolbag were left at the school.

Tshabalala said the teenager returned on Tuesday to fetch the bag, cellphone and also to  see his girlfriend who goes to Tsakane Secondary.

Nhlanhla was a grade 9 pupil at Retshogofaditswe Senior Secondary School, also in Tsakane. 

“It is painful for my child to die in the hands of other parents. These are people that we thought are taking care of our children while we are at work. We are also unhappy as a family about the answers that have been given to us as they were not straight.

“I admit my child was at another school, which was wrong. But that day he had gone there to see his girlfriend. He went there to fetch his schoolbag and cellphone. When they found the toy gun which his mother confirms she saw, why did they use so much force? Why was the security guard carrying a golf stick?” Tshabalala asked.

All schools in the area have been shut down by angry parents and pupils who are demanding justice for Nhlanhla.

A video of Nhlahla being assaulted has been circulating. In the video, two men can be seen pressing the teenager to the ground while other pupils are shouting, “mdubule”, meaning shoot him.

Lesufi said the department will not rush into suspending the implicated staff members until it gets a preliminary report.

Police spokesperson Capt Mavela Masondo said an inquest docket has been open for further investigation.

“We are waiting for the postmortem results that will confirm the real cause of death,” he said.​

Parents at Tsakane secondary said they were frustrated.

“We sent our children to school today and they came back. I have two children doing matric at the school. They are both writing quarterly exams. Any disruption to their learning will have an impact on their school work,” said Khabonina Zondo.

The family of the late teenager has rejected the school’s account of the incident that claimed his life.