Learner killed, investigation pending

Polokwane Municipality has launched a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a former Grade 6 learner of Pietersburg Comprehensive School who was allegedly electrocuted at a bus shelter in Grobler Street last Thursday afternoon.
Matshidiso Mothapo, acting Communications and Marketing Manager of the municipality said that the incident was regrettable. “The municipality has launched a full investigation into what transpired. Due to the sensitive and serious nature of the matter we are not at this point in a position to divulge further information until we have received the full investigation report and have made contact with the family. However, in the meantime, all the bus terminals have been disconnected. The municipality conveys its sincere condolences to the family for their loss,” Mothapo said.

A memorial service was held at Pietersburg Comprehensive School on Tuesday morning for Miliswa Luxande. The service was attended by relatives, fellow learners, educators and officials of Polokwane Municipality including Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng.
In her message Nkadimeng said: “One loss of life is a loss too many. I’m here this morning to take full responsibility. We have appointed a contractor to provide shelter for our commuters and the contractor was still on site during the occurrence of this incident that claimed the life of our beautiful child. The contract has been put on hold to ensure the investigation process continues as legislated and for the Department of Labour as the custodian of such investigations to oversee the process. Contractors don’t appoint themselves, they are appointed by the municipality and therefore it remains our sole responsibility to oversee what they are doing to ensure there is safety for our children and for all our citizens in all the work that we do as a municipality. I will therefore not say the contractor was wrong, but I am here to say I’m taking full responsibility. I’m here to say under my leadership I take accountability for this unfortunate incident. In essence; I did not do enough to protect this precious young life. I recommit myself to make sure that on all our projects we do our best to ensure safety. My sincere apology to the family and to the community.”
Rudi Fick, acting Principal of the school last week informed that 12-year old Miliswa Luxande had sat down on the steel bench of a recently constructed bus shelter when she was electrocuted. Fick was alerted of the incident and rushed to the scene, accompanied by two educators. “When I arrived, Miliswa was unconscious and we rushed her to Mediclinic Limpopo where she passed away soon thereafter,” Fick said.
On Friday morning flowers and a picture of Miliswa were placed at the bus shelter. “Miliswa was one of our top learners and one of the Top 10 in her grade for the last two years. She was a very neat and disciplined learner and the only child of her parents. She will be sorely missed by staff and fellow learners of the school,” Fick said.
When a reporter of Polokwane Observer arrived on the scene later the same morning, a person who identified himself as an official of the municipality, was busy working in the distribution box next to the bus shelter. The person threatened to confiscate the reporter’s camera but refused to identify himself.
The bus shelter and distribution box was not cordoned off and it could not be ascertained whether the power supply was isolated.
In a media statement, Ishmael Kgetjepe, MEC for Education, conveyed his condolences to the Luxando family.
“On behalf of the Department of Education and the whole Education Sector, the MEC for Education, Honourable Ishmael Kgetjepe sends sincere condolences to the family of Luxande following the passing on of our beloved learner, Miliswa Luxande who passed on yesterday following the incident at a bus stop on Grobler Street, Polokwane while waiting for transport to home. Meliswa was a Grade 6 learner at PCS in Polokwane. Our sincere condolences go to the fellow learners, friends, teachers, members of the SGB and parents. May God give us all strength in this difficult period,” a media release by Naledzani Rasila, Spokesperson of the Department read.
At time of going to print, the municipality had not responded to Polokwane Observer‘s query as to why the shelter was not cordoned off after the incident.
Polokwane Police Spokesperson Nthobeng Phala confirmed that an inquest docket relating to the death of a 12-year old girl was opened and that the matter is being investigated.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: The newly constructed bus shelter in Grobler Street where a learner of Pietersburg Comprehensive School was electrocuted last Thursday afternoon. Insert: The late Miliswa Luxande.