Lufuno Mavhunga’s attacker returns to court for bail application

By Jonisayi Maromo On Apr 22, 2021

A widely circulated video showed Lufuno Mavhunga having a heated conversation with one student before they were interrupted by a third who slapped her several times.

A learner violently grabbing another — The teenager seen in a video assaulting Lufuno Mavhunga before the latter committed suicide by overdosing on pills was due back in court to apply for bail. File picture

PRETORIA, April 22 (ANA) – The 14-year-old Mbilwi Secondary School learner arrested for assaulting fellow pupil Lufuno Mavhunga was due back in court on Thursday to apply for bail.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the student had not applied for bail as expected on Tuesday because a new magistrate had to be appointed to replace the current presiding officer.

The case could not proceed at the Thohoyandou children’s court as it had to be heard by a neutral presiding officer to ensure a balance between the interest of the State and those of the teenager, NPA Limpopo spokeswoman Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said at the time, noting that the current presiding magistrate was privy to details of the preliminary inquiry conducted on the Grade 10 student.

The pupil has been held at a correctional youth centre following her arrest after a video showing her bullying and assaulting fellow learner Lufuno Mavhunga on April 12 went viral. Mavhunga later committed suicide at her parents’ home and was buried in Limpopo at the weekend.

At an emotional memorial service, Mavhunga’s brother Kenneth said she was the youngest daughter and loved by everyone in the family.

“But more than anything, Lufuno was a human being. Lufuno was created in the image of God, like all of us. When we saw Lufuno, we should have seen God. We should have seen the image of God,” he added.

A video of the assault, widely circulated online, shows Mavhunga having a heated conversation with one student before they are interrupted by a third who slaps her several times. Mavhunga does not fight back, but instead tries to reason with her attacker. In the background, other students can be heard cheering on the perpetrator.

A second video of the same incident shows the two girls being separated by a male student. Mavhunga’s attacker lands a few more slaps and pulls her hair before they are separated.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa