Blog Post
Family fear suicide pact
The family of a Monumentpark High School pupil who committed suicideearlier this month, suspect he may have made a kind of suicide pactwith a friend, who killed himself a few weeks earlier.
The Kraaifontein family have now warned parents to look out for apossible change in the behaviour of their children, in order to preventsuch a tragedy.
Martin Pretorius, 15, hanged himself in the family's garage on March 2. He left no note.
Kraaifontein police spokesperson Captain Gerhard Niemand confirmed onTuesday that two suicides, one on February 11 and one on March 2, hadbeen reported.
The friend, 16, had committed suicide on February 11.
Martin's cousin, also a pupil at the school, tried to slit herwrists last year at the age of 15. She is now receiving counselling.
The girl's mother, Ronel Oliver, said that according to herdaughter, the pupils all belonged to an 'Emo group', which wasapparently formed at the school for those who were emotionallyunstable.
'She was depressed. She wore black. She even scratched theBible, but fortunately we still have her. Parents have to realise theirchildren are fragile.'
Other pupils said there are more such cases at the school.
School principal, David Jantjies, didn't want to comment.
Martin's father, a single parent, would not answer calls on Tuesday.
According to statistics from the South African Depression andAnxiety Group (Sadag), suicide was the cause of death of up to 10% ofteenagers.
Sadag's toll-free number is 0800 567 567.
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