The tragic drowning of a six-year-old boy at Umzila Primary School in Dannhauser has left the community devastated and highlighted the ongoing crisis of unsafe school sanitation.

According to reports, the Grade R learner slipped away from the line as pupils were being dismissed after assembly on 6 August. He was playing near the school toilets when he fell into an unsecured underground septic tank and drowned.

The tank, which had not been properly cordoned off or secured, has since been covered with metal sheets and rocks following the accident.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight inspection at the school, meeting with the principal and School Governing Body chairperson. While Umzila Primary was described as “neat and well-managed”, DA provincial education spokesperson Sakhile Mngadi said the incident reflects a much deeper crisis.

“This was not just an accident – it was a preventable tragedy that underscores systemic infrastructure failures in our province. No child should die because a toilet at school is unsafe,” Mngadi said.

He added: “Every delay in eradicating pit toilets is a risk too great. We cannot allow another family to go through what the Kunenes are experiencing right now.”

Although 97% of pit latrines have been eradicated nationally, KwaZulu-Natal still has 254 schools – around 4% of the province’s total – relying on them.

The DA has written to the acting Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, requesting a full report for the September sitting. They have also called for urgent investigations to provide the Kunene family with closure.

Mngadi commended members of the private sector who have already offered assistance to Umzila Primary and other schools in Dannhauser, stressing that public-private partnerships are vital to accelerate the removal of unsafe infrastructure.

“Our hearts are with the Kunene family, the educators and learners of Umzila Primary. We must ensure that this child’s death is not in vain,” he said.

As of now, the provincial Department of Education has yet to contact the bereaved family to offer counselling and support.

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