Lesufi ‘struggling to cope’ with spate of deaths
The spate of deaths in the Gauteng education system since the start of the academic year has taken its toll on MEC Panyaza Lesufi.
Fifteen pupils died at various schools in the province under different circumstances since the start of the academic year.
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Speaking at the National Press Club in Pretoria on Wednesday, Lesufi admitted that he is struggling to cope with the deaths of pupils and teachers in the province.
He has put in a request for leave to Gauteng Premier David Makhura in order to recuperate.
In a recent incident, two schoolchildren aged between 6 and 10 lost their lives when a motorbike crashed in a taxi transporting them to school on the R57 near Olifantsfontein, east of Johannesburg on Monday morning.
Lesufi said it has become more difficult to hide the fact that he is emotionally drained.
“You know, when you confront a family member or a parent and you say them your child is not coming it is not an easy task.
“Especially when a parent has left that child in our care and the only consoling words you can say is ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry can’t bring anyone back’.”
The MEC says he has recently developed what he calls “phonephobia”.
“Because every morning, I’m scared. [When one gets] a call that comes from the spokesperson or office, you panic because you don’t know what is it that they are saying this time.”
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The department is set to release the report into the death of Parktown Boys’ High School pupil Enock Mpianzi, who lost his life while on an orientation camp last month.