MYSTERY AS SOS PUPIL BURNS TO DEATH ON MOUNTAIN

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.

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