Report on death of Thembisa boys reveals permission was not granted
“There is some uncertainty regarding the precise circumstances which took place around the incident on April 15.”
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, has shared the findings of an investigative report launched after the deaths of Thembisa learners Siphamandla Peterson (15) and Sibusiso Sibiya (17).
Chiloane released the findings on July 30.
Siphamandla and Sibusiso were learners at the Daveyton Skills School.
Both drowned during a discipline camp at the Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion on April 15.
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The report found that the department did not grant approval for the trip.
The report stated that the school did not submit any application for the trip as required per Regulation 7 of the Tour Regulations on Domestic and International Tours for Learners at Public Schools.
“As a result, crucial safety measures were not adhered to by the school, and which the department could not identify and correct.”
The findings also stated that the principal instructed that only the school’s social worker accompany the learners and supervise them at the camp.
“There were no educators invited or appointed to attend the camp with the learners. There were about 19 facilitators from Rising Stars who attended the camp with the learners.
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“This was not in accordance with the educator-learner ratio prescribed by the Tour Regulations that at least one male educator accompanies every 20 male learners and at least one female educator accompanies every 20 female learners or part thereof,” stated the report.
The report also detailed the circumstances around the incident.
“There is some uncertainty regarding the precise circumstances which took place around the incident on April 15.”
The report stated that investigators were presented with versions from various persons who attended the discipline camp and obtained similar but somewhat different versions regarding the circumstances around the incident.
“Based on the versions presented, the incident most likely took place after 14:00 on the afternoon of April 15.
“The usual activities were taking place at the discipline camp. Some learners went to do their laundry, some were sleeping, and others were cooking.
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“Most of the facilitators were scattered around the camp. A group of learners began to swim in the dam for a short while after either requesting permission to swim and being refused or after getting permission to swim.
“Sibusiso and Siphamandla were among the group of learners that went for a swim in the dam. Siphamandla was drowning when Sibusiso tried to save him. In the process, Sibusiso drowned as well,” the report stated.
According to details in the report, learners around and inside the dam were screaming, shouting and pointing at the spot where the two learners disappeared.
“Mr Motlou and some of his facilitators jumped into the dam and attempted to save the learners. One of the facilitators almost drowned in the process. However, he was saved and subsequently resuscitated.”
“We are pleased with the findings and recommendations by Seanego Attorneys. The department is determined to implement all recommended actions accordingly,” said Chiloane.
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“The principal has been precautionarily transferred to the district pending a hearing since the investigative report recommended she be charged.
“We plead with all Gauteng schools to follow the necessary protocols when preparing for excursions and prioritise safeguarding the lives of learners,” said Chiloane.
