Johnathan Paoli
THE Gauteng Education Department has confirmed the appointment of Seanego Attorneys as the law firm probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Siphamandla Peterson and Sibusiso Sibiya, from the Daveyton Skills School in Benoni.
Education MEC for Education Matome Chiloane visited the Peterson and Sibiya families, as well as the Daveyton Skills School, to introduce them to the investigators from the firm of attorneys.
“This is a credible law firm with a lot of experience, so we are confident that they will give us a report that is credible and assist the department to tighten and close the gaps [in information],” the MEC said.
The two boys were laid to rest at the Rabasotho Community Hall in Tembisa on Thursday morning, where Chiloane said there are people who have already been identified to be held accountable.
“We are bringing people from outside who cannot be contaminated by the politics in the department but to do their work ethically, with integrity and honesty,” Chiloane said during the funeral.
On Wednesday the MEC visited the Daveyton Skills School to learn more about the circumstances leading to the tragedy in the Hennops River, where it emerged that the camp, organised by non-governmental organisation Rising Stars Generation, was not sanctioned by the Education Department, nor were there teachers or lifeguards during the trip.
“It is alleged that, after activities had been concluded on Monday afternoon (April 15), one of the pupils suddenly ran towards a nearby river close to the campsite entrance. A second pupil followed, in an attempt to bring him back,” the MEC confirmed.
The learners drowned while at a discipline camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion almost two weeks ago.
Lead investigator from the firm said the investigation would follow all the issues surrounding this case, including the circumstances surrounding the incident, the conduct of the school and the actions and liability of the department in relation to this case.
“We are committed to conducting this investigation in a thorough manner, and we are ready to commence our work on Monday. We will be seeing the families, the school governing bodies, the management team, officials in the department, the facilitators at the camp, and any other people that we think are of interest to our investigation,” he said.
The attorneys questioned whether the campsite at the Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion had insurance and the actions of the school management and principal and said the firm will hit the ground running on Monday, with planned interviews with the families of the deceased pupils, the school governing body, the school management team, department officials and facilitators at the camp, among others.
“We can confirm that we have accepted the terms of reference. As such, …we are committed to conducting this investigation in a thorough manner. We are ready to commence our work from Monday”.
Chiloane gave the law firm seven days to complete the investigation with a detailed report with findings and recommendations for implementation. expected on 6 May.
“As soon as the report is finalised, we will ensure that all recommendations are acted upon. In the event of delays, we will interact with the families and relevant stakeholders accordingly,” said Chiloane.
INSIDE EDUCATION
