Skills school drownings: Principal back at work
An independent law firm found her actions contributed to the drowning of Siphamandla Peterson and Sibusiso Sibiya during a school camp in Pretoria last year.
The mother of one of the two boys who drowned last April during a discipline camp at the Hennops River in Centurion says she is in disbelief after learning that the principal of Daveyton Skills School, Thembi Letsoele, was reinstated.
The two learners, Siphamandla Peterson (15) and Sibusiso Sibiya (17), died during a school excursion at Rock Falls Adventures.
To investigate the circumstances around their deaths, the Department of Education (GDE) appointed the independent law firm Seanego Attorneys, which recommended the principal face a disciplinary hearing after it found Letsoele had failed to obtain GDE approval for the camp.
The report further revealed that various safety measures were not adhered to, and the department could not rectify them.
Letsoele reportedly relied on one social worker only to accompany and supervise the learners, failing to comply with the required learner-teacher ratio for school tours. She was also found negligent for not informing the parents of the risks associated with the planned activities.
Also Read: Report fingers Daveyton principal for learners’ drowning at camp
Speaking to Sibusiso’s mother, Nokuthula, she said she was heartbroken upon learning of Letseale’s reinstatement, especially since her family still grapples with her son’s death.
“We don’t know what to say. It’s difficult, heartbreaking. It’s not even a year since my son died, yet the person held responsible for his death is back at work, and we are expected to forget,” she said.
“Nobody cares for us because we are poor. The resort still operates, and the principal is back at work. How are we supposed to feel? The next thing, we’ll be called wrong when we stage protests at the school,” Nokuthula added.
The GDE responds
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said, “The GDE can confirm that the said employee requested the matter to be heard as an inquiry by an arbitrator, and the hearing is not yet concluded. Consequently, the department preferred charges against the employee and is complying with the arbitration award. However, there is no decision yet on the outcome of the hearing.”
The Benoni City Times can confirm that the principal is back at school.
On February 12, we phoned the school to speak to the principal, and an administrator informed us that she was out and asked us to call again.
We contacted the school again on February 13 for comment, but the administrator said the principal had instructed her to refer us to the GDE.
Also Read: Two Benoni learners drown at school camp
