Two Thabo-Vuyo learners drown

SHARPEVILLE. – Two minors from Thabo Vuyo Special School (for the physically challenged) in Sebokeng drowned at the Sharpeville Swimming Pool after an alleged unscheduled swimming lesson on Monday morning. The boys aged 14 and 17 are from Sebokeng. Sharpeville Police spokesperson, Captain Attie Loate said the learners were in the company of an educator and had swimming lessons. The educator told the police that their swimming instructor was not available on that fateful day.
At the swimming pool, one of the learners went to sit on the bank and put his feet into the water. He then somehow ended up in the swimming pool. The other learner unsuccessfully attempted to rescue him. “They both ended up drowning,” said the police.
The educator is alleged to have jumped into the pool, also in an attempt to help the learners, and although she called for help it was too late. An inquest is been launched by the police. It has emerged that the school allegedly failed to use the public gate at the pool. There was an instruction that no one is allowed to use the premises on Monday but the teacher apparently said that they made prior arrangements and that they would take responsibility for the learners.
On behalf of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), acting manager of Communications, Marketing and Branding, Stanley Gaba passed condolences to the families. “On our arrival the two kids had already passed on. Swimming pools belonging to the Municipality are closed for maintenance on Mondays. The municipality has arrangements with Swimming South Africa to teach the children how to swim. The school was meant to bring learners for swimming lessons on Friday but they did not arrive,” Gaba says. Gaba added that no arrangements were made for the learners to be brought for swimming lessons on Monday. “The school did not get permission from anyone. The person working here did not grant permission to the educator to utilise the premises. She was adamant that she would take responsibility for the kids. It is against the policy of the municipality to have the public at the swimming pool on Mondays,” Gaba concludes. At the time of going to print, Sedibeng Ster had not yet received comment from the school.