MEC visits Little Ashford following toddler’s death
Family of two-year-old Kganya vows to get justice for him.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, visited Little Ashford Senderwood Preschool on March 8 along with the grieving family of two-year-old Kganya Mokhele.
ALSO READ: Toddler (2) dies after shelf allegedly collapses at Senderwood preschool
The preschooler was declared dead upon arrival at Linksfield Hospital on Tuesday morning after a shelf fell on top of him in a classroom during playtime.
At the time of the incident, four staff members were present with the learners in the room.
Grievances raised by the family included not being informed on time about the incident, the school having an unmounted shelf in their classrooms, and being denied access to the premises and information leading to the death of their son.
The family explained to the MEC, based on security footage, the incident took place at 09:50 but they were only notified at 10:36.
ALSO READ: Coping with a death of a child
“I got the call to rush to the school but on my way, I was then told to go to the hospital. Upon arrival, that’s when I heard the heartbreaking news of my son’s passing. The school has this massive shelf that’s not mounted.
It is said that Kganya was reaching for a toy when it collapsed on top of him,” said Ntaote Mokhele, the father of the deceased.
Sergeant Lillian Modiga, corporate communications officer at Bedfordview SAPS, has since confirmed that an inquest has been opened.
Phumelele Tloubatla, director of early childhood development at the department, was part of the MEC’s delegation.
Members from the department were denied entry when they got to the school but were eventually let in.
ALSO READ: Helping your child navigate death and grief
Tloubatla said they were not able to assess the classrooms and were only able to do a walkabout.
She said they will be conducting another visit soon.
Ashford’s group CEO, Cedric Ntumba, said they are saddened following the tragic event.
“This is the first time we have had an incident of this nature. We take safety and care seriously. We are in a process of understanding what has happened.
“We will investigate whether the right procedures were followed and no stone will be left unturned. I have communicated the way forward to the family,” he said.
He added that they will do whatever it takes to comply with law enforcement and to ensure that something of this nature never happens again.
The MEC emphasised that parents ought to be the first ones to know when something has happened to their children.
He said a team will be appointed to investigate the incident.
“If you have a class of toddlers you should know that shelves should be mounted. It is not easy for anyone to lose a child. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family.
“Going forward we will be looking at compliance in general throughout early childhood development centres in Gauteng, starting with the Ashford group.
“The recommendation from the report will guide us in terms of what must happen next.”
ALSO READ: Coping with a death of a child
Ntumba said counselling for learners and staff members will be provided.
The school will remain closed for the rest of this week and will consider reopening on Monday under the department’s guidance.
On whether the implicated staff members would return to work, he said they will look at the evidence collected and then make a decision.
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