By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Grade 7 learner, Latoya Temilton (12) of Laerskool Queenswood in Pretoria, who died during a school exrcusion has been laid to rest.
Temilton died last Saturday when she drowned at a camp organized by her school Laerskool Queenswood.
Family, friends and learners gathered to bid her farewell in her hometown of Moremela in Mpumalanga.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane appointed an independent law firm to probe the learner’s death.
“According to information at our disposal, the school went on an approved one-day excursion to Wag ‘n Bietjie Resort in Witkoppen, Olifantsfontein. Reports allege that the learner unfortunately drowned during the excursion, “said Chiloane.
“We are devastated by this tragic loss. We convey our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and school community at large. We are hopeful an independent investigation into this incident will assist to determine on what exactly occurred,” said the MEC.
The MEC added that police are investigating the matter and called for an independent probe to be conducted.
The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona said Chiloane would introduce the firm to the school’s management and the school governing body on Monday.
“The firm will be introduced for them to undertake the necessary investigation which will then assist us to take the necessary decision as per the recommendations that will be coming from them after their investigation,” Mabona said.
There have been widespread calls for more to be done to prevent learner deaths at school excursions.
Temilton’s death has been a reminder of the death of Parktown Boys School learner Enock Mpianzi who died while on a grade 8 camp in the North West four years ago.
The 13-year-old’s body was retrieved from the Crocodile River following an extensive search by search and rescue teams.
The Department of Education and Mpianzi’s family settled for an undisclosed amount, after the family demanded R10 million, following months of negotiations.
The department had released a forensic report that implicated five teachers, the school headmaster, and the Nyathi Bush River Camp – where the camp took place – in Mpianzi’s drowning.