The family of Tiro Moalusi are ready to meet the student teacher alleged to be responsible for their sons' suicide. Tiro took his own life some weeks ago after the student teacher allegedly passed homophobic remarks towards the grade 9 learner from PJ Simelane High school in Dobsonville, Soweto.
The teacher allegedly called Tiro "sis' bhuti, a derogatory term referring to being gay, when he was about to present his speech in front of the class.
He allegedly told the said teacher that he did not appreciate being addressed in that manner but she laughed at him.
Tiro took his life by drinking rat poison which is a sight his family claims they can't forget.

TEACHER WITHDRAWN

His family believes that knowing the person who led to Tiro taking his own life will be the first step to their healing journey. The Department of Education spokesman Steve Mabona  said the student teacher has been withdrawn from her duties. He added that  the The South African Council for Educators (SACE) investigator has already interacted with the department's district officials to assist with the investigation.
Tiro's aunt, Masingita Khoza, told Zimoja that they were called to the school to give their statements.
"From there we were not told what the next steps would be. We don't even know if "withdrawn from her duties," means she won't ever teach again or it's just a suspension because they had said that on the  Friday that Tiro died  was her last day at the school," she said.

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PRINCIPAL CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW TEACHER

Khoza said on several occasions they have asked the principal who the teacher was but he claimed to have never met her before.
"He said the student teacher was hired by HR and he only saw him for the first time when Tiro's incident was reported at the school," according to Khoza.
She said the family was happy that the department was taking action and hoped that this matter will be put to bed and justice will be served.

TRAGEDY STRUCKS

She said however nothing will be done to bring Tiro back.
"He was a strong and selfless child-  he came back from school seemingly unbothered by the incident. Only later did he decide to tell us what had happened at school. He even told me that his class teacher paid no attention to him when he reported the matter. As we were talking he started throwing up and told me that he took rat poison. We rushed him to Leratong Hospital where he later passed on," said Khoza.