A 10-year-old learner died after a goal post fell at Reagile Primary in Tembisa. Police are investigating the circumstances, while the Gauteng Department of Education has opened its own internal inquiry to ensure safety procedures are properly examined.
Image: Chagpt
The Gauteng Department of Education has opened an internal investigation into the death of a 10-year-old Grade 5 learner at Reagile Primary School in Tembisa’s Winnie Mandela area. The inquiry runs alongside a police investigation into the incident, which took place on school grounds during second break on Monday, February 16.
This is the second learner death on Gauteng school premises in recent weeks. On February 2, five-year-old Manqoba Mnisi, a Grade R learner at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, sustained injuries at school and later died in hospital. His mother has raised concerns that he may have been locked inside a classroom before becoming trapped in a window.
Preliminary reports from Reagile Primary indicate the Tembisa learner was playing with classmates near the soccer posts when a goal post reportedly fell on him, causing severe injuries. Paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later, but the learner was declared dead at the scene. Police are probing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Department is deeply saddened by this tragic incident. We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the learner’s family, fellow learners, educators and the entire school community,” said MEC Matome Chiloane.
The department has also deployed its Psycho-Social Support Unit to provide counselling and support to learners, educators and the bereaved family.
An independent law firm appointed by the Education Department is expected to formally engage with Mnisi’s family and the Soweto school on Tuesday, February 17. Chiloane visited the family on Friday, February 13, to offer support.
“The purpose of the independent investigation is to establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding the Soweto incident,” Chiloane said.