#16DaysofActivism: My son died a hero says KZN mom
When parents entrust the wellbeing of their children to teachers, they rely on them wholeheartedly, believing they are being taken care of, moulded and encouraged to be the best they can be. But what happens when a school teacher does the exact opposite? What happens when the teacher becomes the person your parents warned you about?
In northern KZN, a family still weeps for a 12-year-old boy Lwazi Andile Tembe.
On one September morning, Lwazi left his home in Emanguzi in Thengane Reserve to visit his teacher about his school work. That night when the child did not return home, police were alerted, and a case of kidnapping was opened.
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Lwazi had been missing for a month before his body was found on a field not far from his home.
Police arrested a 33-year-old former teacher in the area in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Lwazi. The teacher denied inviting the child to his home.
At the time, KZN police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said: "Detectives from the Jozini Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit managed to obtain evidence implicating the teacher in the child's disappearance. The suspect was arrested by a detective, and following his arrest, the body of the child was discovered in a shallow grave."
Devastated by the news that her precious son was dead and lying on a sports field, not far from their home, Pretty Tembe said she always had the suspicion that the teacher was involved. She also feels he did not act alone.
"I'm not happy with the arrest, because I don't think he could have done this alone. Looking at the distance from his house to the sports field where Lwazi's body was found, it's evident that he had some sort of help. I say this because this is not the first time where boys from my community have been killed in this manner in the past two years."
The grieving mother says they had exhausted all options trying to find her son and says Lwazi was a wonderful child.
"I had faith that I would find him alive, but now he is no more. I'd told my myself to consider the good and bad when we do find him because we have been looking for a while now. My child suffered a lot. Lwazi was just a boy who liked playing soccer and love going to school, even on a rainy day he would insist on going to school."
A heartbroken Tembe says all she has now, is an empty house with only photos of her late child to keep her company. She says her brave boy died a hero.
"If the teacher does not expose his accomplices, these killings will continue. Because last year one boy-whose the same age as Lwazi-was found dead with his parts missing. Also the other year the same thing happened, but no one knew where to look or who is responsible. Lwazi is a hero because through his death; he managed to expose this man or who could be behind this."
Zwelakhe Cele, 33, has made two appearances in court and was denied bail.
He faces charges of murder and kidnapping. The case is set to continue in January.
