As the sun rises, so does the sound of keys unlocking the gate. Itumeleng wakes up on the cement.

“Cheeseboy! You’re free to go,” says the officer.

Itumeleng passes the angry Sergeant Mathebula to receive a long warm hug from both his parents. He is released on bail, so he thanks the God-sent lawyer standing next to his pops.

Word quickly gets out, and the learners are disappointed. The following Wednesday, a large number of students assemble inside the school hall in the morning. Then Thembi steps up to the podium and begins her speech.

“Fellow comrades, I greet you all with a sad heart, disheartened by the fact that South Africa as a whole has a recorded conviction rate of only 3% with regards to gender-based violent crimes: crimes that are committed by those who are dearest to us. And the police turn into sloths when it comes to taking action against GBV and femicide in our country. The justice system is clearly failing the victims of GBV. And we saw that yesterday, when that animal Itumeleng received bail after assaulting our sister, Cindy. And today he’s allowed to roam this school like nothing happened.” The crowd grows agitated. “What about her? How will she focus on her studies, knowing very well that her abuser is a couple of steps away? Now she is exposed to a potential re-victimisation, isn’t her trauma enough already?”

The crowd is lit and responds in synchronisation, “Hell no! Itumeleng must go!”

Thembi continues, “I say we stand up and fight for her! We’re going to pick up our boards of awareness and march these school yards until the perpetrator is expelled from school.” She looks at the crowd and raises her fist, “No room for abusers!”

“NO ROOM!” the crowd responds in a loud shout. Then they all go to work.

Deep inside the tranquillity of the library, Itumeleng sits and faces Stacy head on.

“Tell me nothing but the truth. Don’t lie to me, Itumeleng. What happened?” Stacy gives a stern look.

“I’ve never lied to you before, and I won’t start now. The truth is, we met on Sunday because she wanted to apologise for her behavior, last Friday at the exhibition. We squashed it easy, before I went back home. Then me and mine left to visit my grandmother. And when I came back here, I was arrested for something I’ve never done.” Itumeleng looks at Stacy with eyes full of hurt. “At home I was taught respect and humility. I swear on God, I didn’t do it.”

Stacy scans for faults in his demeanour then says, “I believe you.” And Itumeleng breaks into tears.

The librarian rushes inside the library, “Itumeleng, you have to leave now!”

He wipes his eyes, “What…why? What’s going on?”

“They are coming for you, you better leave now!”

Itumeleng grabs his bag and the principal enters the library, “Itumeleng, the students are protesting for your permanent removal from the school.”

“But sir, I’m innocent!” Itumeleng claims.

The principal grows conflicted, “I’m sorry, but you have to leave.”

Itumeleng then braces himself to face the angry crowd.

Loud chants are sent towards him as he walks out, and at the centre of the school, Itumeleng is suddenly ambushed by three fellow students with two Rambos and a single three-star. The first one stabs him in the back with a Rambo twice, and the crowd scatters. He turns to fight back, only to feel cold sharp metal inside his left abdomen. And while falling down, he blocks a three-star swipe with his forearm; a slice that was meant for his neck.

By the time the school security intervenes, his attackers have managed to escape. And now, lying on the ground, warm blood floods his mouth and leaks from his side and back. He feels his consciousness losing grip by the second, he cannot hear the panicking crowd. The last thing he witnesses is Stacy doing her best to stop the bleeding, then everything turns black.

Tell us: What do you make of the mob violence Itumeleng has experienced at the hands of his classmates? Have you ever witnessed something like that? How did you feel?