Two Benoni learners drown at school camp

An investigation is underway into the drowning of two learners from Daveyton Skills School on April 15.

According to Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, the boys, aged 13 and 16, were among a group attending a discipline camp hosted by Rising Stars Generation, a youth development NPO based in Pretoria.

Learners arrived at the privately owned camping facility in Erasmia on April 12 and were set to return on the day the boys drowned.

“It is alleged that after activities had been concluded on Monday afternoon, one of the learners ran towards a body of water close to the entrance of the camp,” said Mabona.

“A second learner followed in an attempt to bring him back, but it is alleged the child jumped into the water. The other learner tried to rescue the boy but, unfortunately, both drowned.”

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Members of the SAPS Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services were deployed to the scene.

“Upon their arrival witnesses were unable to furnish officers with the exact location of where the victims were last seen,” said Warrant Officer Grant Giblin, Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) and Rapid Response Services (RRS) spokesperson.

“Search and rescue dogs were used to establish the victim’s location within the dam. Their bodies were recovered at a depth of 2.5m.”

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane extended his condolences to the families, friends and schooling community.

“We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate deaths of our learners during a school excursion. An investigation into the incident has been launched and members of our psycho-social support unit will be dispatched to the school to provide necessary trauma support and counselling to the learners,” he said.

Benoni City Times attempted to get comment from the school and Rising Stars Generation, but we were unable to reach either telephonically.

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