The Gauteng Department of Education has given Buthelezi-Vilakazi Incorporated two weeks to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the death of Grade R pupil Manqoba Mnisi.
Image: Supplied
Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane has given an independent investigative law firm two weeks, to probe the death of Grade R learner Manqoba Mnisi at Bernard Isaacs Primary School, in Coronationville, who died after he was allegedly locked inside a classroom.
Chiloane presented the firm, Buthelezi-Vilakazi Incorporated, at the school on Thursday morning.
The firm has been appointed for two weeks to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Manqoba’s death.
Manqoba, who was from Jabulani in Soweto, reportedly sustained injuries on the school premises on Monday, February 2, 2026, and later died in hospital.
His family says they are struggling to come to terms with what happened.
The department said unclear details surrounding the incident prompted it to institute an independent investigation to establish the full facts.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona said Chiloane first met with the Mnisi family to formally introduce the law firm.
He then proceeded to the school in Coronationville, where he introduced the firm to the School Management Team and the School Governing Body.
During both engagements, Chiloane outlined the purpose of the investigation, including its terms of reference and scope.
According to Mabona, the firm has been mandated to investigate the allegations surrounding Manqoba’s death and to interview the district director, circuit manager, cluster leader, principal, educators, general assistant, the child’s parents, security officers, community members, learners and any other relevant witnesses.
Bongwiwe Mnisi, and her deceased son, Manqoba Mnisi, during happy times.
Image: Supplied
“The investigation must contain clear findings and specific recommendations on matters relating to education laws, the South African Schools Act, the Employment of Educators Act, the Children’s Act and any other relevant legislation,” Mabona said.
The scope of the investigation includes determining whether there is merit to the allegations, the circumstances surrounding the incident, the conduct of the educators, the School Management Team and the principal, whether the matter was reported to the department, the cause of death, and whether any departmental employees failed to fulfil their legal obligations in relation to the care of the learner.
It will also assess whether the department is liable, whether there were any omissions on its part, whether there is a broader problem of this nature at the school, the role of the School Governing Body, and whether counselling was provided or is still required.
Mabona confirmed that the law firm has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit a report with findings and recommendations.
Chiloane reiterated the department’s commitment to establishing the truth, saying the Mnisi family shared that determination.
“The department remains unwavering in its commitment to establishing the truth. We have full confidence in the independence and capability of Buthelezi-Vilakazi Incorporated to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation,” he said.
“Whatever findings emerge from this process will be acted upon decisively, as has been the case with previous independent investigations undertaken by the department.”
IOL News previously reported that Manqoba’s mother, Bongiwe Mnisi, previously described the shock and confusion she experienced after receiving a call from the school at about 10am on February 2.
“They just told me there was an incident at the school and that I must come there,” she said. “They didn’t explain what had happened.”
She said the school later offered to fetch her to accompany staff to the hospital but still did not provide details.
“When I asked what happened, they said they were coming to fetch me to go to the hospital, but they wouldn’t tell me anything,” she said.
Gauteng MEC of MEC Matome Chiloane has appointed an independent law firm to investigate the death of a Grade R learner at Bernard Isaacs Primary School, amid allegations the child was locked inside a classroom before he died.
Image: Supplied
According to Mnisi, the school later told her that her son had collapsed near the toilets.
“They said they found him collapsed near the toilet door, tried CPR and checked his pulse, but he didn’t respond,” she said.
On Friday, she went to a funeral parlour to begin arrangements and was informed that she needed a police report.
After unsuccessful attempts to contact the principal, deputy principal and another teacher, she went to the Sophiatown police station to certify documents and obtain the report.
After leaving the station, Mnisi said she received WhatsApp messages from an unknown person urging her to read them.
“When I finally checked the message, I found out that the school lied to me,” she said.
The message alleged that her son had been locked alone inside a classroom, attempted to escape through a window, became stuck and died.
It further claimed that a passer-by noticed him and alerted the school.
Mnisi said the information had been extremely painful to process.
“It’s very painful and difficult for me to understand and accept what happened. I can’t even sleep at night,” she said.
Manqoba was buried in Soweto on Saturday, February 14.
IOL News