Local News
Sasolburg learner dies presumably after playing 'choking game'─── LANI FOUCHÉ 12:08 Tue, 21 Jan 2014
Lani Fouché
Bloemfontein - A learner from Sasolburg High School died shortly before starting his Grade 10 year earlier this month after presumably playing a choking game.
The school confirmed that the boy was found dead in his room on the evening of January 4 while he and his family enjoyed a braai at home.
School headmaster Kalol Muller says a rope was found around the boy's neck. He says it's unlikely that it was a suicide, but rather an attempt at a so-called choking game, usually played by a group of children.
Muller says the boy's parents didn't pick up any suicidal behaviour and are shocked and confused by the incident. Muller warned children not to experiment with dangerous games, and to speak up when they feel depressed and stressed. He requested that the boy not be identified in order to spare the parents further trauma.
The Free State department of education also confirmed the incident, but said it could not comment because the incident happened outside of school hours and at a private residence.
OFM News learned that the deceased was a friend of the boy who was arrested after he shot a teacher in the leg at the same school last year.
