Chiloane appoints Rangata Attorneys to probe Grade 6 pupil’s death
Sibusiso Mbatha (12) died by suicide after homophobic statements were allegedly directed at him by a teacher.
On Monday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane introduced the independent law firm tasked with probing the circumstances surrounding Mbatha’s death to the school principal and governing body at the Khehlekile Primary School.
He said the lawyers were briefed on the department’s expectations: “…key amongst those is to investigate what transpired here so that we can have an understanding on what led to our child to do what he did.
“Those who are responsible or did something that could’ve led to what has happened, we will look into those recommendations and act on them without any hesitation.”
Chiloane said he hopes the report will shed light on why there’s been an increase in cases of suicides among pupils in the province and help prevent it from happening.
The director of the Pretoria-based Rangata Attorneys, Baitseng Rangata, said they are not on a finger-pointing mission, but they are rather seeking to provide constructive recommendations.
“Our responsibility is to investigate and get the facts, not to point fingers but provide recommendations that are going to assist the department, the society, and the school to make sure that incidents of this nature don’t repeat themselves.”
They have been given five working days to produce a report, which they will hand over to the MEC.
Lehutjo Mello from Rangata Attorneys outlines how the investigation will unfold. He says MEC Chiloane has given them 5 days to produce a report into what led to #SibusisoMbatha dying by suicide pic.twitter.com/e3rcv0u6rf
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) October 30, 2023
Chiloane said he’s confident Rangata, who was one of the evidence leaders at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, is fit for the task.
The investigators also met with Mbatha’s family at their home on Monday, a day after the 12-year-old was laid to rest.
Chiloane explained that while a criminal complaint has been registered with the police, this investigation is by the department and not part of the criminal probe.
However, he said it may assist the police.
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