Internet game drives 10-year-old to suicide

A DEADLY game that dares young children to take their own lives has claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy in Katutura.

According to the boy’s family, Kahambue Nyandee Hipose (10), was found hanging from the laundry line behind the family home by his uncle on Wednesday afternoon.

Hipose was a Grade 5 pupil at Khomasdal Primary School. The principal of the school, Bonny Matengu, told The Namibian that Hipose and his friends were playing a game called “the momo challenge” on Wednesday during school hours, and later after school.

The game apparently urges ‘players’ to commit suicide after receiving a certain image on their phone.

“After we received the devastating news, we immediately called in the friends to find out what the last things were that they did together. They told us they were playing the momo challenge, and they (others) decided to stop the game, but Hipose said he was going to continue the game at home,” Matengu said.

Hipose’s aunt, Benita Nguarambuka said the boy’s death has shocked the family, and caused unbearable pain.

“Nyandee [Hipose] was a bubbly and smart child, and his death still seems so unreal. He was the life of this house, and his grandmother’s diamond.”

Hipose’s grandmother, Cecilia Mbaha (53) told The Namibian that the family was still in a state of shock after learning of the news.

“We were very close, and although he is only gone for a day, I already miss him. With whom will I have silly arguments in the house?

On Tuesday evening, it was his day to wash the dishes. But he was taking too long and I told him to hurry up because he was still to take a bath.

“After his bath, I told him to go to bed, but he begged me to let him watch our favourite soapie on television. When I allowed him to watch the soapie he told me ‘I love you, Mama’. Those are the words that I will never forget about him. When I close my eyes that is all that plays in my head. I miss him so much,” Mbaha said before she burst out crying. She added that Hipose loved to sing, and was very inquisitive. “When he left, he said ‘I am gone’, as if he was saying goodbye. Why did he do it?” she cried. South African online news publication News24 earlier this year reported that the so-called ‘momo challenge’ has dominated headlines, with parents being warned of a viral ‘suicide game’ supposedly on the rise on YouTube.

As part of the challenge, children are apparently encouraged to harm themselves after connecting with a mysterious woman with bulging eyes who has managed to hack her way into children’s YouTube videos.

Police deputy commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed the suicide, stating that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

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