Gauteng Education kicks off week with more bad news
The Department of Education in Gauteng has started the week on yet another tragic note following the deaths of teachers and pupils.
Sebetsa-O-Tholemoputso High School in Soweto is mourning the death of its principal Fana Khoele after the 54-year-old collapsed on Monday.
He later died at his home.
This comes as the school has barely recovered from the death of Grade 8 pupil Zweli Dube who was struck by lightning on Friday, just a kilometre from the school.
The department's spokesperson Steve Mabona says its a tragedy the school is yet to come to terms with.
MEC Panyaza Lesufi is expected to visit the school and the family of both the principal and the learner on Tuesday.
ALSO READ:
21 killed in Eastern Cape bus crash
Kupelo says the driver lost control of the bus on a grave road and plunged down the steep gorge. The driver was among those who died. Rescue personnel, including the army and the police's search-and-rescue team, have been deployed to the scene.
Meanwhile in Benoni, simmering tensions boiled over when an unknown man accosted a bus driver carrying pupils from Etwatwa Secondary School, shooting him in the head in full view of the children.
Mabona says the motive might be linked to industry rivalry.
"While seated in the bus, an unknown man approached and shot three times at the bus, with only one shot hitting the driver above his right eye. The driver was then rushed to a hospital, where he is currently receiving necessary medical attention.
"The department believes this incident to be a result of simmering tensions between itself and the Benoni Taxi Association as taxi owners are not pleased with our provision of scholar transport in that area.”
The department has called on the taxi industry to be more tolerant of the scholar transport initiative as it mostly services disadvantaged pupils.
Mabona says the department will look to meet with the community to try and find a solution.
"MEC Lesufi is saddened by this tragic incident and appeals for peace in the implementation of this transportation initiative.”