The third week of school has claimed the life of a third child. This is the third tragic learner death incident reported by the Gauteng Department of Education since schools opened for the 2024 academic on the 17th of January.
A Grade 1 girl learner from Mandlethu Primary School in Tsakane, Brakpan, has passed away after allegedly consuming biscuits from a spaza shop in her area. The learner allegedly started vomiting before break time. According to a statement released by the provincial Education Department, the child’s parents have confirmed that the learner consumed biscuits which were bought from a local spaza shop owned by foreign nationals.
The learner was declared dead by the medical services upon arrival at the school.
This incident follows the reported deaths of two other learners in the province.
In January 12-year-old, Latoya Temilton from Laerskool Queenswood in Pretoria allegedly drowned at a school excursion immediately after schools reopened.
Just last week, on the 1st of February 2024, Kgosi Maloka from Modiselle Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa died after he allegedly fell out the window of a moving bus. He was 13 years old.
Addressing the recent death, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said in a media statement “We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. We plead with parents to be vigilant concerning the edible goods that their children consume. We call upon law enforcement agencies and municipalities to be more stringent on compliance matters related to spaza shop products. Indeed, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and the school community at large.”
Investigations surrounding the circumstances of the young learner’s death are being underway.
***This is a developing story.