Times Of Swaziland: MYSTERY AS SOS PUPIL BURNS TO DEATH ON MOUNTAIN

MYSTERY AS SOS PUPIL BURNS TO DEATH ON MOUNTAIN
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Sithembile Hlatshwayo on 22/09/2023 06:53:00


MBABANE – Mystery surrounds the death of a 12-year-old boy, who was burnt by
fire on a mountain at Nkoyoyo, while on a hunting expedition on Saturday.
The surroundings of the spot where the boy died had no overgrown grass, which
could have fuelled the fire.
Bonkhe Shiba (12) was severely burnt, according to his father, Gabriel Shiba,
who believes petrol was used, as the deceased’s clothes were reduced to ashes
and his flesh was peeling off. His entire head was scalded and there was no
single hair remaining. Gabriel said he was convinced that there were intentions
to kill his son. He said it did not make sense that his son could go all the way
to the mountains, as such had never happened before.
Questioning
He said there were under-aged boys who had been taken in for questioning, as
they did not want to reveal the identities of certain grown-ups who were seen on
the mountains on the day of the incident. He said the boys were all friends and
were neighbours. “I also offer them a lift to school every day and I trusted
them,” said the disheartened father.
He mentioned that there was a boy who joined in the trip to the mountain, though
he was not their friend. “It is the same boy who started the fire.” Gabriel
said the version he got was that his son was held and thrown into the burning
blaze by the other boys. “I am very traumatised and shaken by this gruesome
act.” According to Shiba, when he arrived at the scene, after being alerted by
a neighbour of the incident, his son was walking and talking. He said his son
asked why his friends were killing him and specifically pointed the youngest boy
who was aged 10.
Impossible
Gabriel alleged that the boys acted jointly as it was impossible that the
10-year-old could burn his son all by himself. He said he could have paid any
amount of money to save the life of his child if this was what the perpetrators
wanted. However, a source who preferred to remain anonymous stated a completely
different side of the story.
The source alleged that the deceased was with four others on the mountain, where
it was believed they were on a hunting expedition.
According to the source, the five boys aged between 10 to 16 years started a
fire to scare the wild animals. They were hunting with two dogs, which were
believed to be from the deceased’s home. While at the top of the mountains,
the source said the 10-year-old was instructed to start the fire. However, due
to strong winds, the fire became uncontrollable.
The source alleged that the boys decided to run for cover but Bonkhe, who was
asthmatic, failed to flee from the flames as the path was too steep. He was
eventually burnt by the fire. Three of the younger boys tried to assist him but
he had already suffered extensive burns by that time. Alex Mayedze, who is the
father of the 10-year-old, said the boys burnt the bushes hoping that the wild
animals would come out. Mayedze said the older boys fled, living the young ones
behind. He said Bonkhe was caught up in the fire and failed to escape.
However, he said two of the younger ones, who had remained behind, helped each
other to rescue the deceased from the flames and sought assistance from a nearby
homestead. SOS Herman Gmeiner Primary School Head teacher Linda Thwala, sent
condolences to the Shiba family. He said Siyakhula Primary, which was Bonkhe’s
former school, sent their heartfelt condolences to the family.
“They have our deepest sympathy,” he said. Thwala said there was mystery in
the burning of Bonkhe, who was their pupil, as they were told there was no tall
grass at the scene where the incident happened, and the manner in which he burnt
showed that the fire consumed his entire body, including hair and all his
clothes. He said they believed the truth was yet to be revealed by those who
were with him when the incident happened. Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter.
Vilakati said police were still investigating and there were no arrests made as
yet.