Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A FORM Two student, whose body was found hanging from his bedroom in Harare last Friday, has been described as a bright student whose intelligence had seen him skip two classes.
Mike Gava, who was an 11-year-old schoolboy at Istudy Centre in Harare, was found hanging in his bedroom.
He is believed to have been a victim of bullying at the school.
He was the son of politician Tendai Wenyika.
Mike is believed to have been a victim of bullying for some time and his pleas for help, according to sources, were not heard by the school’s authorities.
When Mike finally found the courage to stand up for himself, the school’s authorities suspended him while his mother was on business outside the country.
“He had a misunderstanding with one of the students, he clapped him and the matter was taken to their teacher,” said the maid.
“Mike went into his mother’s bedroom and retired to bed, I checked for him and asked him to eat some food but he refused.
“Later, he went into his bedroom, where I later found him hanging.”
Mike was laid to rest on Sunday at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.
The school plans to hold a memorial service for him on Friday.
Wenyika is mourning the tragic loss of her first-born child.
“He was my comforter, my hope, and my future,” she said.
“I lost my first-born when I had so much faith in his potential.”
At just 11, Mike had already skipped two grades, advancing to Form 2 due to his remarkable intellect.
“He was too young to face such public humiliation.
“The teacher should have shown him the love and care of a mother, using kind words instead.”
One parent said:
“We’ve heard about the bullying he faced from the white students, yet no action was taken.
“When Mike fought back, the school revealed its true colours. It’s crucial for the school to treat all students equally.”
Danny Auckhurst, the director of Istudy Centre, was not available for comment.
However, Wenyika said the school authorities extended their apologies over the tragic incident.
