North West pupil drowns self after failing grade

A youth has drowned himself in Tontonyane village in Mafikeng after failing grade 11, North West police said on Sunday.

The 19-year-old youth jumped into a dam on Friday afternoon, Constable Duduzile Zwane said.

"He left a letter at home for his father and SMSed a police officer and fellow church member earlier in the day, informing them about the suicide," she said.

Police divers retrieved the body on Saturday. The contents of the letter and a text message were not disclosed.

The youth was a pupil at Ramaine High School.