Principal facing probes after pupil dies of head injuries

A Limpopo school principal is facing criminal and departmental investigations following the death of a pupil, several days after he allegedly banged her against a staffroom windowpane.

The incident allegedly took place on May 28 during school hours at E.D.L. Rampola Secondary School in Mokopane, in full view of pupils and teachers.

Police said the pupil, identified as Dimakatjo Diale of Extension 17 in Mahwelereng, near Mokopane, sustained serious head injuries during the incident.

Although the incident happened a fortnight ago, Diale died on June 9 at Mokopane Hospital.

The deceased’s family spokesperson, Matsobane Magongwa, said the 17-year-old Grade 8 pupil came back home from school at about 11am and told them the reason she came early was because she was not feeling well.

“She said she was hit on the head by the window while basking in the sun at the side of the staffroom,” said Magongwa.

He added that the following day the wound became swollen and she was taken to the local hospital were she died on Saturday.

“We are not pointing fingers here but we are mourning the loss of our child,” he said. “Teachers should be second parents of our children while at school.

“We’ve entrusted them with the future and lives of our children. If anything happens at school, we expect the head of the school to come forward and talk to us.

“But that was not the case with the principal of the same school were our child’s dilemma started. But we believe the law is on our side and will do everything to get to the bottom of this,” Magongwa added.

Limpopo police said they have opened an inquest docket in relation to the incident.

Police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said no one has been arrested as yet and that investigations are continuing.

The provincial department of basic education said yesterday it was appalled by the death of a pupil.

“We have launched our own investigation into the matter, in an effort to establish the truth.

“We want to know what happened on the day of the incident. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to establish the exact picture,” said department spokesperson Sam Makonde.

“We are currently speaking to everyone in and around the school about the matter.”

He said the department has sent its deepest condolences to the bereaved family saying, “your pain is our pain”.

– alexm@citizen.co.za

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