MEC Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed that the body of the missing learner has been found.
“We are all devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and the school community,” he said.
Update: MEC Panyaza Lesufi has announced that the boys will be released from the camp and should be home by 11 am today. The rescue team is still searching for the missing boy.
Parents took off to Twitter to express their feelings on the matter. Here’s what they had to say:
UPDATE 2: #ParktownBoysCamp . I met with the family of the missing child on site and they granted us permission to release his photo. The rescue team has resumed their search. The boys will arrive back at school around 11am. All sporting activities are suspended. pic.twitter.com/DoRi1vxaFA
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) January 17, 2020
Honestly MEC, we cannot thank you enough for this. Our kids are on this camp and without the comms from MEC, we wouldn’t have known. This boy went missing on Wednesday and they realized it yesterday
— Muhammad Choonara (@muhammad_c) January 17, 2020
[8:20]
A Grade 8 learner at Parktown Boys’ High School went missing during the course of a water activity at a lodge near Brits in the North West Province.
The school sent their Grade 8 learners on a camp from 15 January, but on the morning of 16 January it was realised that a boy had gone missing.
I am sadly informed that during the Parktown Boys Grade 8 Orientation Camp in Mpumalanga, one learner couldn’t be accounted for after a water activity. Police Search and Rescue are on site in the area of the river where a water activity was held. I will also join the search
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) January 16, 2020
According to a statement by media liaison at Parktown Boys, Kim van Es, “Emergency procedures have been instituted by camp management and are being assisted by members of the local community and the SAPS Emergency Services.”
MEDIA STATEMENT 16 JANUARY 2020
The Parktown Boys’ High School Grade 8 Orientation Camp is currently being held at a lodge in the North West Province. The grade 8 group arrived at camp on Wednesday the 15th of… https://t.co/JEFOF66yXR
— Parktown Boys' High School (@PARKTOWN_BOYS) January 17, 2020
Van Es said that police search and rescue are on site and are already at work in the river where a water activity was held after the boy’s arrival.
The parents of the missing boy are reported to be at the venue.
Van Es said, “The search continues and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this traumatic time.”
The boy is believed to be a resident of Yeoville.
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi tweeted saying, “Rescue teams suspended the search last night. They will resume with the search this morning. Jointly with the school, we’ve agreed to cancel the camp. The boys will have their breakfast this morning and thereafter be taken back home.”
A missing persons report has been filed and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Netshiunda Assen on 079 607 6844 or 012 252 8520.
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