GDE appoints independent body to probe Joburg pupil's death
The Gauteng Department of Education will appoint an independent law firm to probe the death of a Grade R pupil from Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, Johannesburg.
The Gauteng Department of Education will appoint an independent law firm to probe the death of a Grade R pupil from Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, Johannesburg.
The boy died in hospital earlier this month after sustaining injuries on the school premises.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the firm will probe the circumstances that led to the child’s death.
"The purpose of the independent investigation is to establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding this incident.
"Accordingly, the law firm will be formally introduced by Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, to both the deceased learner’s family and the school on Tuesday, 17 February 2026."
Chiloane will visit the family of the deceased pupil in Soweto on Friday.
In recent years, the Department of Education in Gauteng had to appoint four law firms to investigate the deaths of pupils in the care of the school teachers.
In 2020, Parktown Boys’ High pupil Enoch Mpianzi (13) drowned during the school's Grade 8 orientation camp in North West.
In December 2022, a grade 6 pupil, Mandla Chauke (12) from Refalotse Primary School in Winterveldt, drowned during a school trip.
In January 2024, a grade 7 pupil, Latoya Temilton (12) from Laerskool Queenswood, also drowned while on a school excursion.
In August 2025, a Grade 3 pupil, Larona Mapheelle, from Alberview Primary School in Alberton, died after sustaining injuries on the school premises.
