Tragedy strikes in Gauteng leaving two learners and one teacher dead

The Gauteng Education Department has reported three tragic incidents in which two learners and one teacher lost their lives. 

A Grade 1 learner was killed in a car accident on Wednesday 15 July, while a Grade 8 learner allegedly poisoned herself to death on the same day. A teacher also passed on, on Friday 17 July while awaiting a kidney transplant. 

TWO LEARNERS DIE IN GAUTENG

The Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi is saddened to report about the death of a Grade 1 learner from Ramotse Primary School in Hammanskraal.

Tshegetse Chauke, just six-years-old lost his life on Wednesday 15 July 2020. It is alleged that he was involved in a fatal car accident, in which he died on the scene. 

In a separate incident in Gauteng on the same day, a Grade 8 learner allegedly poisoned herself to death. 

“Sadly, we also report about the untimely death of Mothobi Nkhudiseng, a Grade 8 learner at Boitshepo Secondary School in Marokolong, Hammanskraal,” said Lesufi. 

“Mothobi allegedly had an argument with a family member which led her to drink poison and died instantly on Wednesday 15 July 2020,” he added. 

Psychosocial officials, will on Monday 20 July 2020, visit all schools for the necessary support following the death of the two learners.

TEACHER DIES WHILE AWAITING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT 

Apart from the death of two learners, a 54-year-old teacher passed on while awaiting a kidney transplant. 

“It is painful to further information about the passing of an educator from Rethabile Primary School in Klipdrift, Hammanskraal. Ms Sefeshi Anna Ramatsetse passed away this morning, 17 July 2020. She had allegedly been hospitalised for two months and died while awaiting a kidney transplant,” said Lesufi. 

“We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the families and school communities who have been severely affected by the deaths of their loved ones. Indeed, no words are enough to express the sorrow of losing a loved one. We hope that the families will find comfort in the knowledge that we too share their loss,” he added.

LESUFI CRITICISED FOR RACISM POLICY COUNCIL

On Friday 17 July, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) sent out a statement regarding Lesufi’s plans for a racism policy council for schools in Gauteng. 

Comprising of six members, well versed in anti-racism and apartheid issues and more. The purpose of the council is to investigate the nature and extent of racism in Gauteng schools and recommend interventions in order to combat it.  

According to the written reply that the FF Plus received from Lesufi regarding the council,  the party ascertains that the main reason for the council is the incidence of white-on-black racism.

“No mention is made of black-on-white racism. It is, thus, abundantly clear that the council will be established in order to investigate white teachers and learners in a biased manner without any consideration of reversed racism and discrimination,” said FF Plus chairperson in Gauteng Anton Alberts. 

The FF Plus considers the creation of the council as unconstitutional due to it being one-sided. The party will lodge a formal complaint with the human rights commission (HRC).