R5000 for dead schoolboy’s family

The DA has demanded a full enquiry by the KZN Education Department into the death of a Botha’s Hill school boy allegedly at the hands of a teacher.

On 6 April at about 9am, a seven-year-old child, Zolani Andile Gwala was allegedly assaulted at Mnamatha Primary School, Botha’s Hill by a female teacher who punched him in the chest after he was fighting with another pupil over a pen.

Rafeek Shah, MPL, DA KZN alternate spokesman on education, said that according to the boy’s father, he came home complaining of a chest pain.

The next day both parents, along with the child, went to see the school’s headmaster. By then the child was in severe pain and had begun vomiting.

The headmaster advised them to take the boy to a doctor, who had him admitted to RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth. He passed away a few days later. The cause of death is listed as ‘under investigation’.

The parents informed the headmaster of Zolani’s death and he immediately fired the teacher responsible for the alleged assault.

Shah said, “While the DA welcomes the headmaster’s swift actions, we are extremely disturbed that there does not seem to be any formal enquiry underway by the department into this tragic incident.”

“This is completely unacceptable. Not only has a young life been snuffed out, allegedly by a person charged with his care, but the alleged perpetrator has not been held to account and will in all likelihood simply move on to another teaching post in the province.”

“While it has been established that the accused was hired by the governing body of the school this in no way absolves the Department of Education from any responsibility whatsoever, since all schools in the province fall under its jurisdiction.”

The DA was informed that to date the only assistance the department had offered the family is a food parcel and R5000 towards funeral expenses.

“Considering the emotional trauma and expense they have suffered this sum is entirely inappropriate. How can that be the price of a child’s life?

“Some further form of compensation must be afforded to this family. The loss of their son – who had no previous health issues – as both a potential breadwinner and a general support to his parents’ in their old age cannot be measured.”

The boy’s parents have opened a case at the Inchanga Police Station. This was confirmed by Colonel Jay Naicker, a media spokesman for the SAPS.

“Inchanga police are investigating an inquest and no arrest has been made at this stage. We are still waiting for the outcome of the post-mortem to complete our investigation,” said Naicker.

Shak is demanding an explanation from KZN MEC for Education, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, who he will be seeing tomorrow at a briefing, where he intends to raise this issue with her.

“We expect her to announce a full enquiry. The facts must be determined and the appropriate action taken. I just want justice for the family,” said Shah.