Law firm appointed to probe Daveyton school drownings

Teenagers Siphamandla Peterson and Sibusiso Sibiya were laid to rest of Wednesday after they drowned while on a school excursion in the Centurion area nearly two weeks ago.

MEC Matome Chiloane visited the school on Friday afternoon.

“We have introduced to the families first so that they are aware of what we are doing with regards to what we are doing concerning the incident, the commitments we have made as the department," he said. 

“I have given them seven days to conclude this process." 

He said disciplinary process against one staffer at the school had already begun, adding that more could be implicated as investigations continue.  

“The process has already started with an educator but I will not say their name. I am not going to reveal their identity for the integrity of the process, because we do not want it to go out as though it’s pre-determined outcome.”

Thembekile Graham, from Seanego Attorneys, is the lead investigator in the matter.

Chiloane confirmed the law firm would also investigate allegations of abuse at the camp.

“Within their investigation they will also be interviewing learners who were at the camp. It’s quite a big cohort because there were about 90 learners. Those that are willing to come forward to talk, they will be able to pick up those details.”

Meanwhile, the MEC said the families were battling to come to terms with their loss.

“The families are taking it very hard. We are taking it hard [too] because it’s difficult. To lose a child in the manner that they did is not easy. But we have kept our commitment as a department that we will investigate, and we will act without fear or favour.”

The boys were laid to rest in a joint funeral on Wednesday.

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