Death toll at 22 after two Gauteng pupils pass away

Eldorado Park pupil’s alleged suicide

A Grade 11 student at Eldorado Park Secondary School died of poisoning at a local hospital on Thursday 5 March 2020; Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi confirmed his passing on Friday morning.

It appears to be a case of suicide and it is believed that the student drank poison on Tuesday 3 March. He was rushed to the hospital and his life support machine was turned off on Thursday.

Lesufi said in a statement: “Sadly we were informed by the family that this was actually a second attempt after he survived the first one last year”. He added:

“We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family and school community. Indeed we are lost for words to comfort them; we feel their pain during this time of grief”.

Stabbing at Reiger Park Secondary School

In a separate incident, an 18-year-old Grade 10 pupil from Reiger Park Secondary School was fatally stabbed on Thursday 5 March by an unknown assailant.

The pupil was rushed to OR Tambo Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Lesufi said on behalf of the entire education fraternity in Gauteng that they strongly condemn “senseless acts of violence”.

“On behalf of the entire education fraternity in Gauteng, we would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and the school community. May they find comfort in knowing that we too share their pain. Furthermore, we strongly condemn senseless acts of violence which threaten the safety of our learners in and around our schooling environment, robbing them of their future”.

The suspect made their escape, however, police are investigating circumstances surrounding this incident. Lesufi said 22 learners have died in Gauteng this year so far.

We can only hope that the Gauteng education department is busy formulating a plan that extends further than calls to prayer to make our schools safer.

These are developing stories, more to follow.