Schoolchildren Questioned About Teenager’s Death

On Monday, South Africa was gripped by a wave of shock and anger when news about the mysterious death of 15 year-old Lungile Kubeka broke out. In South Africa, August is commemorated as the month to highlight the plight of abused women and children. During August, many campaigns actively support drives to end violence against women and children. This was not enough for Lungile Kubeka.

According to media reports on Tuesday morning, ten scholars were taken in for questioning relating to Kubeka’s death. Her body was found in a yard outside a neighbour’s home. She had no visible open wounds. Police suspect that she may have been raped and strangled.

Kubeka is said to have been in an abusive relationship with a boyfriend who often verbally and physically tormented her. Some members of the community believe that the police should focus on him during their investigation. The boyfriend was among the ten school children who were invited to the police station for questioning. Six other boys and three girls completed the group of students who assisted the police with useful information about Lungile Kubeka and the events leading up to her death.

Police spokesperson, Kay Makhubela said: “We successfully calmed them down and sat down with the learners and had a discussion with them. They gave us leads that will help us in our investigation.” The boys are friends of Kubeka’s boyfriend. Members of the community accused them of helping their friend murder the teenager. The three girls were with Lungile Kubeka before she disappeared on Sunday night. The girls told police about the time they spent with Kubeka, “what could’ve happened and where the girl might’ve been.”

No arrests have been made and all the children who were questioned have been released. Makhubela is hopeful that people who have any information that may help the police bring the perpetrators to book will contact the police urgently.