The Gauteng Department of Education will appoint an independent law firm to probe the circumstances surrounding the drowning of two learners from Daveyton Skills School who drowned during a camp in Centurion.
Siphamandla Peterson (15) and Sibusiso Sibiya (17) drowned during a discipline camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion on Monday, 15 April.
LAW FIRM TO PROBE CENTURION DROWNING INCIDENT
On Tuesday, the Gauteng Department of Education revealed that the two learners attended a discipline camp held by the non-governmental organisation Rising Stars Generation in Pretoria. The camp started on Friday, 12 April, and the learners were scheduled to return on Monday, 15 April.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said it is alleged that, after activities had been concluded on Monday afternoon, one of the learners suddenly ran towards a nearby river close to the campsite entrance. A second learner followed in an attempt to bring him back.
โIt is further alleged that the learner who ran off jumped into the river, prompting the second learner to try and rescue him. However, both learners unfortunately drowned as a result,โ he explained.
On Wednesday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the Daveyton Skills School in Benoni and the respective families of the deceased learners.
Chiloane revealed thatย the trip or camp was not authorised by the department and that there were no educators or lifeguards during the trip.
Notably, there was only one social worker taking care of 90 pupils during the excursion.
Chiloane also expressed his disappointment at some Gauteng schools for not taking extra precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of learners during excursions. This, along with the lack of adherence to protocols for applying for department excursions.
Furthermore, Chiloane also stated that disciplinary action would be taken against any persons who were found to have acted negligently, contributing towards this fatal incident.
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