Hammanskraal mother says school ‘bribed’ her to keep quiet about daughter’s death

A Hammanskraal woman claims that a local school offered her a teaching job so that she would “keep quiet” about her daughter, who died on the school premises.

Believe Alive Masango (11) died after she allegedly tripped and hit an electricity pole at the Kgomba primary school in March of last year, according to mother Witness Ramatsetse.

Ramatsetse said the school did not contact her after her child had died.

“Instead, a community member phoned me to come to the school three and a half hours after Believe had died.

“The school claimed they did not have my contact details. Believe was in grade 6 and had been in the school since grade R, but they said they did not have my number.

“Every school should have a parent’s number or at least a next of kin’s.”

Ramatseste said the school principal told her the child tripped over a tree branch that was lying on the ground.

However, she claims the school later changed its story.

“I was told that, after tripping, Believe hit an electricity pole and died, which still did not make sense to me.”

The family claimed a police officer, who was handling the case, asked them not to open a case against the principal as “they were friends”.

“The officer came to my home to convince me not to open a case, but I did not waver,” said Ramatsetse.

Ramatsetse said during her daughter’s funeral, the principal said Believe was “naughty” which is “why she died”.

“She said Believe was playing rough when she fell and died. According to her, other children kept on screaming at her to slow down, but it was too late.

“A day after the burial, the principal called me. She said someone told her I am a qualified teacher and she wanted to give me a position.

“She told me she was about to go on pension and would have to refer me to the incoming principal.

“They promised to help me in getting the job and told me she would come to see me, but she never showed up.

“To me, that felt like a bribe. She kept hinting that we have to accept what has happened and leave it to God.

“I contacted the department about the principal’s job offer, but they never came back to me.”

Ramatsetse said her biggest concern was that the school changed their story about what happened to Believe.

“I am not at peace with what happened. Money will not bring her back. This has also affected her siblings.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Herman Moremi said an inquest docket was opened after the incident was reported to them.

Moremi said there is a witness statement in the docket from someone who witnessed the incident, but the principal was not one of them.

“There were no visible injuries. According to the post-mortem report, the child died from head injuries, not electricity as it is alleged.

“[Ramatsetse] was issued with a post-mortem report to get closure of what happened, but she wanted to log a civil claim against the school.

“The investigating officer only told Ramatsetse to have facts and proof if she wants to sue the department because they will rely on police docket.”

READ MORE: Journalist develops app to keep abused women and children safe

Moremi said Ramatsetse grew angry when she was told this.

Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said they have received a letter of demand and they were cooperating with the court process.

“It is unfortunate that this incident occurred just on the verge of the lockdown, which impacted negatively on an internal process to launch an independent investigation.

“However, we can confirm that through our district, the family was supported with necessary counselling.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram