The Gauteng education department has appointed legal firm Seanego Attorneys as the independent investigative law firm that will probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two Daveyton Skills School pupils.
The learners, Siphamandla Peterson, 15, and Sibusiso Sibiya, 17, drowned during a boot camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion, north of Pretoria.
The incident happened on April 15 at Hennops River.
The boot camp, or discipline camp, was organised by non-governmental organisation Rising Stars Generation.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane presented the law firm to the families of the deceased pupils and the school management team on Friday.
Law firm given seven days to complete investigations
Chiloane said the department has given the law firm seven days to complete its investigations. He said the law firm will begin its investigation on Monday next week.
Seanego Attorneys was represented by its lead investigator, attorney Thembekile Graham.
Graham is also the secretariat of the judicial commission of inquiry into the Usindiso Building fire in Marshalltown. The incident claimed the lives of 77 people in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, in August last year.
Graham said the department gave the law firm terms of reference to guide their scope of investigation.
She said firm has been tasked to:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident;
- Whether there was approval granted for the trip by the department; who was responsible for the supervision of the pupils at the camp;
- Where were the responsible personnel and educators during the time of the incident;
- Whether the school and campsite had insurance;
- The conduct of the educators, school management team, and principal;
- Whether the incident was reported to the department;
- What was the cause of the pupils’ deaths?
- Whether the department is liable or not; whether there was any omission on the part of the department and its officials. What the department can do to address the matter going forward. As well as the role of the school governing body; and
- Whether any counselling was provided and whether it was necessary to provide it now.
Terms of reference accepted
Graham said the law firm will hit the ground running next week Monday. They will interview the families of the deceased pupils and the school governing body. The school management team, department officials and facilitators at the camp, among others will be interviewed.
“We can confirm that we have accepted the terms of reference. As such, …we are committed to conducting this investigation in a thorough manner. We are ready to commence our work from Monday,” said Graham.
Chiloane said after the investigation has been completed, the law firm will present their report. The report will have the findings and recommendations for implementation.
It is alleged that Peterson jumped into the river, and Sibiya jumped into the river to try and rescue Peterson. However, both drowned in the process.
Trip or camp was not authorised by the department
Chiloane said from the department’s preliminary investigations, the trip or camp was not authorised by the department. He said there were no educators and lifeguards during the trip.
Chiloane said there was only one social worker taking care of 90 pupils during the trip.
“It is alleged that, after activities had been concluded on Monday afternoon (April 15), one of the pupils suddenly ran towards a nearby river close to the campsite entrance. A second pupil followed, in an attempt to bring him back.
Pupil jumped into river, another tried to save him (both drowned)
“It is further alleged that the pupil who ran off jumped into the river, prompting the second pupil to try and rescue him. However, both pupils unfortunately drowned as a result,” said Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
Mabona said the incident was reported to emergency medical services and police, who recovered the bodies of the two pupils.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said an inquest has been opened by police and is under investigation.
Peterson and Sibiya were laid to rest on Wednesday in Tembisa, on the East Rand.
