UPDATE: Mpianzi family to now focus on pursuing criminal investigation
PARKTOWN – The Department and Ian Levitt Attorneys have not made public the amount that was agreed upon for the settlement due to a confidentiality clause.
Update (2pm, 8 May):
Mpianzi family lawyer Ian Levitt says that the settlement will enable Enock’s parents to build a legacy in his honour.
Levitt spoke to the Gazette saying, “After many moths of extremely difficult negotiations, settlement was reached. Although the amount cannot be disclosed, it will enable the parents to build a legacy in Enock’s honour.”
Levitt said that Enock’s parents can now close one chapter of the terrible tragedy and focus on the criminal investigation, which will be pursued until its conclusion.
Original story (7 May):
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has reached an out-of-court settlement with the Mpianzi family.
The family lost their son, Enock, in January 2019 on his first day of Grade 8 at Parktown Boys High School while on an orientation camp at Nyati Bush and River Break in Brits.
Enock drowned under tragic circumstances during a river rafting activity at the camp. His body was only discovered two days after the incident took place.
MEC for Education in Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi said, “While conscious to the fact that a young life was lost and will never return, we are hopeful that the out-of-court settlement will bring some comfort and closure to the Mpianzi family, who, undoubtedly, have been going through a challenging time since the unfortunate passing of Enock.”
The Department had announced in June last year that the Mpianzi family had decided to sue them for R10 million in compensation.
The Department and Ian Levitt Attorneys have not made public the amount that was agreed upon for the settlement due to a confidentiality clause.
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Enock Mpianzi remembered today at Parktown Boys’ High School
