Six-year-old pupil dies after falling into septic tank at KZN primary school
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has expressed its sadness over the death of a learner who tragically fell into a septic tank at Mzila Primary School in Dannhauser last week.
According to department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi, the learner was playing when the incident occurred. “As the department, we would first like to extend our condolences to the bereaved family. No one sends their child to school to perish; everyone always expects him or her to come back home. Our prayers are with the family, as we understand the pain they are enduring,” he stated.
Mahlambi further explained, “The school does not have pit toilets but septic tank toilets. The child fell into the septic tank while playing with a tyre. The teacher, security personnel, and a member of the community rushed to rescue the child by pulling him out, but unfortunately, when the paramedics arrived, he was declared deceased. No kind of explanation can heal the wound that this has caused to the family.”
The Mercury understands that the family was not ready to speak publicly on the matter.
In response to this tragic incident, DA KZN spokesperson on Education and Member of the Provincial Legislature, Sakhile Mngadi, along with local DA councillors, will conduct an official oversight inspection at Mzila Primary School in Dannhauser on Monday.
“The DA’s oversight aims to establish the full facts surrounding this horrific incident. We extend our deepest condolences to the Kunene family on the loss of their son and call on SAPS and all relevant authorities to fast-track investigations to bring closure and justice to the family.
“This heartbreaking incident highlights the need for a renewed national commitment to safe and dignified school sanitation. As a member of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will not rest until every child in our province has access to safe, dignified, and hygienic sanitation at school,” said Mngadi.