South Africa: Free State Department of Education MEC, Dr Tate Makgoe, has expressed shock and sadness at the death of an 8-year-old grade 1 learner who died after being hanged by a mobile toilet window frame at Caleb Motshabi Primary School, Bloemfontein.
It is alleged that on 16 September 2022, around 11:10, four learners were playing in the mobile toilets during break time.
One closed the door, and it could not open.
As the deceased learner was trying to use the framed window at the toilet, his body managed to get out, but his head got stuck in the window frame.
He was removed from the toilet and brought into an empty classroom, where he was certified dead three hours later whilst waiting for an ambulance and Police.
The department has already dispatched officials from the psychosocial unit to render counselling services to the learners, teachers and all affected by the incident.
“We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased learners, Caleb Motshabi Primary School community, especially learners who might have witnessed this tragic incident, Dr Makgoe said.
“May they find comfort in knowing that we too share their pain and sorrow,” he said.
Dr Makgoe also shared his condolences on his Twitter account in which he tweeted, “We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased learners, Caleb Motshabi Primary School community, especially learners who might have witnessed this tragic incident, May they find comfort in knowing that we too share their pain and sorrow,” he said.
https://twitter.com/MECTateMakgoe/status/1570801077393719301
https://twitter.com/MECTateMakgoe/status/1570801072289218562