Johannesburg – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three Evaton Primary School learners in Sebokeng, who died in Sebokeng on Monday.
Narrating events before the tragedy, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said: “According to information at our disposal, the incident unfolded at around 08:00 in the morning when a Grade 4 class teacher brought a sick boy learner to the sick bay”.
The GDE added: “Despite immediate assistance, the learner was unresponsive. Emergency services and the learner’s mother were swiftly called.
“In a distressing turn of events, the learner’s sibling, a Grade 3 girl learner, was also brought to the sick bay and mentioned that they had eaten pap, milk, and biscuits at home.
“‘The learner soon became unresponsive as well. A third sibling, a Grade 5 girl learner, was also found to be unresponsive.”
The GDE said all three learners were rushed to a nearby clinic, where, tragically, they were declared dead.
“The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident,” said the GDE.
Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation MEC Matome Chiloane on Monday expressed his “profound sorrow over the deaths of three learners from Evaton Primary School in Sebokeng on Monday, 12 August 2024”.
In a separate and equally tragic event, MEC Chiloane said he was deeply saddened to have learned of the death of a Grade 8 learner from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni.
The learner also died on Monday, 12 August 2024.
Reports indicate that the incident took place during school hours when two Grade 8 girl learners allegedly ingested rat poison on the school premises.
One of the learners collapsed and had to be carried to the school’s administration block, while the other, though visibly weak, managed to walk there.
Emergency services and the learners’ parents were immediately contacted.
“Sadly, one of the learners was declared dead on school premises, while the other was rushed to a local medical facility for urgent care,” the GDE said.
The police are currently investigating this tragic incident.
“MEC Chiloane strongly encourages learners to seek help from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) by calling their 24-hour helpline on 0800 68 78 88 if they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, rather than turning to such tragic actions. Support is available, and no one should face their challenges alone,” the GDE said.
SADAG will be offering targeted support for learners, including sessions for Grade 12 students as they prepare for their Preliminary Examinations.
These sessions will cover critical topics such as managing exam stress, effective relaxation techniques, and ways parents can support their teenagers during this demanding period.
The first session will be broadcast live on their Instagram page (@sadag_official) today, (Tuesday 13 August 2024), at 6 pm.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of these young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and school communities affected by these devastating incidents,” said MEC Chiloane.
“Our psycho-social support team will be dispatched to provide necessary support to everyone involved during this difficult time.”
In an unrelated incident involving a learner, police divers continue to search for Reza Saloojee, the head boy of Greenside High School in Johannesburg.
Reza was swept away by a strong current at the Vaal Dam on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old ran into trouble while attempting to retrieve his belongings that had been blown into the water by strong winds.
Drones and helicopters were being used in the search near the Vaal Marina.
