A dark cloud is hanging over a number of schools in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape following the death of at least 24 learners who have died as a result of suspected poisoning, murder or accidents.
Police are investigating the death of three related learners from Evaton Primary School in Sebokeng on Monday. Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, Matome Chiloane has sent his condolences to families, friends and the community.
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said, according to information at their disposal, the incident unfolded at around 8am when a Grade 4 class teacher brought a sick boy learner to the sick bay.
“Despite immediate assistance, the learner was unresponsive. Emergency services and the learner’s mother were swiftly called.
“In a distressing turn of events, the learner's sibling, a Grade 3 girl learner, was also brought to the sick bay and mentioned that they had eaten pap, milk, and biscuits at home. The learner soon became unresponsive as well. A third sibling, a Grade 5 girl learner, was also found to be unresponsive. All three learners were rushed to a nearby clinic, where, tragically, they were declared dead,” said Mabona.
Evaton Primary School SGB member, Patience Kolweni, said the school principal had phoned her immediately. Learners at the school were sad and traumatised when they were told that their fellow pupils had died. She said the schools had to release learners early.
“We are heartbroken because these were young children, we were expecting much from them,” said Kolweni.
She said some educators visited the family and found that they were poor. “As the SGB, we plan to visit the home today to see the situation ourselves so that we can see how we can help.”
Kolweni said the situation at the children's home was dire as the grandmother had cancelled a funeral policy, which meant the family would need assistance for the burial of the learners.
Mabona said MEC Chiloane was also deeply saddened at the death of a Grade 8 learner from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, also on Monday.
“Reports indicate that the incident took place during school hours when two Grade 8 girl learners allegedly ingested rat poison on the school premises. One of the learners collapsed and had to be carried to the school’s administration block, while the other, though visibly weak, managed to walk there,” Mabona said.
He said emergency services and the learners’ parents were immediately contacted. “Sadly, one of the learners was declared dead on school premises, while the other was rushed to a local medical facility for urgent care.”
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of these young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and school communities affected by these devastating incidents. Our psycho-social support team will be dispatched to provide necessary support to everyone involved during this difficult time,” said Chiloane.
Chiloane encouraged troubled learners to seek help from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) by calling their 24-hour helpline on 0800 68 78 88 if they were struggling or feeling overwhelmed, rather than turning to such tragic action. He said support was available, and no one should face their challenges alone.
SADAG will be offering targeted support for learners, including sessions for Grade 12 students as they prepare for their preliminary examinations.
These sessions will cover critical topics such as managing exam stress, effective relaxation techniques, and ways parents can support their teenagers during this demanding period. The first session will be broadcast live on their Instagram page (@sadag_official) on Tuesday, at 6pm.
In yet another tragedy also on Monday morning, a collision involving a midibus, a bakkie and an articulated truck left three people dead on the D2296 Road between Karino and Mbombela, Mpumalanga. The midibus was transporting learners to various schools around Mbombela.
Moeti Mmusi, a Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, said: “The deceased are the driver and passenger of the bakkie and one learner who was an occupant in the midibus.”
He said 27 people sustained injuries varying from slight to serious, and they were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. “The injured include the driver of the midibus and 26 learners.”
Two weeks ago, six learners were tragically killed in a horror collision between a school bus and a train. About 10 were injured and rushed to hospital.
The learners were transported home to the village of Mafube from Moreig Primary and High schools.
Meanwhile in the Western Cape, learners, family and community members are mourning the death of Deveney Nel, 16, a Grade 10 learner from Hoërskool Overberg who was found dead in the school’s storeroom with stab wounds last week.
Nel was reported missing and the schoolyard has become the focal point of investigations.
On July 12, 11 learners, including four cousins, were tragically killed in a horror crash involving their scholar transport and a bakkie. The driver also died and the bakkie driver is attending court and facing various charges.
Brothers Hlompho Hlalele, 11, and Reneilwe Hlalele, 7, along with sisters Sihle Hlalele, 12, and Thato Hlalele, 8, were on their way to school when tragedy struck. The children are cousins as their mothers are sisters.
According to the Department of Education in Gauteng, 10 learners were from Rockland Primary School and one from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville. | Additional reporting by IOL