The family of one of the learners who drowned during a discipline camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion on Monday, Siphamandla Peterson, wants justice.
Peterson, 15, passed away during the school excursion together with fellow learner, Sibusiso Sibiya, who was 17years-old.
This emerged during a visit by the Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane to the school and the deceased family members.
“We’re very shocked about the news.
We saw it on TV, and we were waiting to see the MEC.
We want the department to do justice and investigate the matter.
We’ll be glad if the department, the MEC fast tracks investigations and those that are responsible are brought to justice.”
We can see surely that neglect of young children during that camp.
So, we’ll wait for the investigations,” said Peterson’s grandmother, Nomusa Mathebula.
Mathebula highlighted that they’re still waiting for other family members, before finalising funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, Chiloane said the department will institute a full investigation to probe the tragic incident.
“We will institute an independent law firm to assist us in getting to the bottom of what happened.
The trip was not sanctioned by anyone in the higher office in the district because it was not communicated.
What we know is that there were no educators as well, it was just the social worker alone,” said Chiloane.
The MEC expressed his disappointment at some Gauteng schools for not taking extra precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of learners during excursions, as well as the lack of adhering to protocols pertaining to applying for excursions with the Department.
Chiloane stressed that disciplinary action will be taken against “any persons who were found to have acted negligently, contributing towards this fatal incident.”
