The Gauteng Department of Education will conduct a full audit of school camps that have water-related activities, in the province to ensure the necessary measures are in place regarding learner safety.
BREAKING #ParktownBoysCamp The body of the missing learner has been found by the police. The family of Enoch Mpianza was fully briefed and we are all devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and the school community.
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) January 17, 2020
This comes after a Grade 8, learner from Parktown Boys High School, drowned while on a school camp in the North West.
UPDATE 2: #ParktownBoysCamp . I met with the family of the missing child on site and they granted us permission to release his photo. The rescue team has resumed their search. The boys will arrive back at school around 11am. All sporting activities are suspended. pic.twitter.com/DoRi1vxaFA
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) January 17, 2020
He went missing on Wednesday but MEC Panyaza Lesufi says his department was only informed about the disappearance late on Thursday night.
Enock Mpianzi’s body was found in the Crocodile River on Friday.
Briefing the media on Friday, in Johannesburg, Lesufi expressed disappointment over the school’s delay in notifying the authorities.
“It’s very difficult to explain what happened. We needed to satisfy ourselves whether there are other circumstances that could have led to the late notification.”
Laerskool Bekker
Meanwhile, investigations are underway following the death of another 13-year-old Gauteng learner. On Friday night, the Gauteng Department of Education confirmed the death of Keamohetswe Shaun Seboko.
MEC: We wish to convey our sincere condolences to the family and assure them, that they are in our prayers during this time of mourning. Indeed this is a bad week for us in the Education sector. We can’t find words to comfort these families who lost their children under our care.
— Gauteng Education (@EducationGP) January 17, 2020
He was found dead in the school’s Hostel Swimming pool at Laerskool Bekker in Magaliesburg, north-west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
#GDENews MEC Lesufi saddened by death of another learner who drowned at School Swimming
The Department is saddened by yet another death of a learner at LaerSkool Bekker on Wednesday, 15 January 2020 in Magaliesburg.
— Gauteng Education (@EducationGP) January 17, 2020
The MEC on Sunday will visit the Seboko’s family.
