Grieving Jabulani mother seeks answers after Grade R learner dies at school

The grieving mother of Manqoba Mnisi in Jabulani says she believes her son’s death is being covered up and that the school is failing to be transparent about the incident.

Five-year-old Manqoba, a Grade R pupil at Bernard Isaacs Primary School, allegedly died on the school premises after sustaining injuries on February 2.

His mother, Bongiwe Mnisi, said she received a call on Monday morning from a school official informing her of an incident involving her son and asking her to come to the school.

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Minutes later, she received another call telling her not to come, as someone from the school would fetch her instead.

“It took them a long time to arrive. When they eventually came, they took my father at Coronationville. When we arrived at the hospital, I was told by one of the school officials that they had found my son lying on the ground near the school toilet.

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“They tried to perform CPR on him, but he was not responding. After checking his pulse, they decided to rush him to the hospital,” she said.

Manqoba’s mother shared that upon arriving at the hospital, she was not immediately informed about what had happened to her son.

She said the long wait at the hospital left her growing impatient, prompting her to repeatedly ask about her son’s condition.

She was later informed that Manqoba had passed away.

According to Mnisi, the doctor at the hospital revealed that tests showed Manqoba appeared healthy and that no poison was found in his body.

She revealed that an unknown individual had contacted her, explaining the circumstances of her son’s death and suggesting that negligence may have played a role.

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Mnisi is demanding justice for her son and wants the truth about what really happened.

The Department of Education has confirmed the incident and expressed its condolences.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families, school communities and peers, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the incident is thoroughly investigated,” said in a statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said an inquest docket has been opened at Sophiatown Police Station.

“The police are investigating circumstances that led to the death of a five-year-old learner at one of the schools in Coronationville,” said Masondo.

Manqoba Mnisi’s memorial service will be held on February 12, and he will be laid to rest on February 14.