Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi has sent condolences to families of pupils who lost their lives this week.
According to the Gauteng department of education, a Grade 10 pupil from Emadwaleni Secondary School in Soweto allegedly hung himself following an argument with his parents on Wednesday.
“His body was found next to a park near his home and was removed from the scene by the Gauteng Pathology Services,” said the department in a statement.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to investigate circumstances surrounding the case.
Another Grade 7 pupil from P S Fourie Primary School in Eesterus passed away, allegedly as a result of suicide.
“It is also alleged that he had not been attending classes since the beginning of term 3 on 26 July 2021,” said the department.
On Tuesday, a Grade 11 pupil from Clapham High School in Pretoria passed away after allegedly falling ill on school grounds.
“The learner allegedly felt sick at school while playing soccer during the Physical Training (P.T.) period. His parents were informed about his condition and an ambulance was immediately called to the school. Unfortunately, the learner passed on at Muelmed Hospital in Arcadia, Pretoria later in the evening,” said the department.
The families and fellow classmates of the learners who passed away continue to get support from the department’s psycho-social unit.
“We are deeply saddened by these untimely deaths and wish to convey our condolences to all the families who lost their children in these three different incidents. We mourn with the families, friends, teachers and fellow learners of these learners. There are no adequate words to express our sorrow at the loss of a child. We hope that the families will find comfort in the knowledge that we, too, share their loss,” said Lesufi.
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