Mother seeks justice for epileptic child who fell at school

A Bekkersdal mother is on a quest for justice.

This after her daughter, who suffers from epilepsy, was allegedly neglected when she fell and hit her head at West Rand School special school in Krugersdorp late last year. She sustained serious head injuries as a result.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald, Christinah Mokgasi, 30, said her 12-year-old daughter, Boitshwarelo was diagnosed with the disorder at age three. She has a speech impediment and walks with a permanent limp.

The mother claims the incident took place during a school lunch break at about 11:00 on October 21, 2020.

Mokgasi said the special school that is supposed to provide intense care for learners was negligent as she was only informed about the incident six hours later, at 17:00.

“I received a call from the school to come and fetch my child because she’d fallen and was vomiting; they also told me she wasn’t doing well,” she said.

She claimed the school didn’t even bother to take the child to hospital for X-rays to determine the extent of her injuries; instead she was told that the Sister in charge was busy. When she saw her daughter she realised that she had been bleeding.

“We took the child to the clinic; they only gave us Panado as they couldn’t see the severity of her injuries,” she added.

During the night, her daughter had seizures while vomiting continuously. She said the family doctor confirmed after thorough examinations that the child had an open wound in the head.

After laying a complaint with management of the school, a meeting was arranged with the West Rand District Education Department. Her complaint was recorded during the meeting, and she was told that the matter would be investigated and that she would be given feedback. Now, more than a year later, no response has been received.

Mokgasi said when she tried to open a case with the police she was given the runaround. Police officers who took the statement wouldn’t get out of the vehicle but simply told her that there wasn’t any case anymore.

Mokgasi, who is unemployed, said she couldn’t afford legal representation and had written to the South African Human Rights Commission and Gauteng Department of Education, without any luck so far.

“I want people to be held accountable for their mistakes; my child can’t fall and hit her head at 11:00, only for me be told at 17:00 – what if she died?” Mokgasi asked.

Thinus Coetzee, principal of West Rand School, who confirmed to the Herald that they’re aware of the matter, said the issue was escalated to the Gauteng Department of Education West Rand District.

“We know nothing [more] after it was escalated from our school; we don’t know where the matter stands at this stage after the investigations were taken over by the department,” Coetzee said.

The Herald has approached the Krugersdorp Police and is awaiting their response.