The Gauteng Education Department has taken swift action following the tragic drowning of a 12-year-old girl from Laerskool Queenswood in Pretoria. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has recommended an immediate independent investigation into the incident.
The Grade 7 pupil, Latoya Temilton, drowned during a school camp in Olifantsfontein, located 34 kilometers away from her school. Expressing his sadness over the incident, Chiloane has called for an independent investigation to run concurrently with the ongoing police investigation.
The Department is in the process of appointing an independent law firm to conduct the investigation. The law firm will be introduced to the school management team and the learner’s family once they have been appointed.
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In the wake of this tragedy, the school held a memorial service on Wednesday to commemorate and honor Latoya’s life. However, there have been concerning allegations surrounding the incident.
It has been revealed that the 12-year-old and her peers were allegedly swimming unsupervised at the time of the tragedy. Additionally, there are claims that the school urged pupils and parents to remain silent about the incident.
Gauteng police have confirmed their awareness of the incident but have not yet launched an inquest. The docket may still be with a regional police station due to the recent nature of the incident.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, the provincial police spokesperson, has assured the public that they will thoroughly investigate the matter given its sensitive nature.
As of now, Laerskool Queenswood has not provided any comment regarding the incident. The independent investigation, along with the police investigation, aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic drowning and ensure accountability.
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