Both the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and Bekker Primary School were negligent in relation to Grade 7 learner Keamogetswe Seboko’s drowning.

The 13-year-old was found dead in the school’s swimming pool on Wednesday, 15 January 2020.

The GDE has since released findings following an investigative report emanating from circumstances surrounding Keamogetswe’s death.

The report revealed his death was the result of drowning. Four educators and the principal were found to be negligent for failing to act swiftly after the incident was reported. Among others they were found not to have cared for learners under their care. The school is deemed to be liable, subsequently the Department must take responsibility.

The GDE recommended that the necessary disciplinary process must be taken against the educators and the principal.
The Department through its legal department must engage the family on an appropriate compensation.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi accepted the report and undertook to implement all recommendations.

During his visit to the school, Lesufi briefed the school and the District leadership, and they will meet and give feedback on how they intend to take the process forward. He also emphasised this is a sad incident and that they were still saddened.

We must not run away from our responsibilities; if we run away from our responsibilities we have betrayed this family,” he said.

Willie Dry, the School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson, stated they reserved the right to go through the report and talk to their legal team. He added that it was comforting that MEC Lesufi was walking this path with them as the incident has been hard on their school.