A Lovu Township school is under investigation by the KZN Department of Education after a Grade R learner was badly burnt on school premises. Five-year-old Mpendulo Mkhezi suffered burns to both his hands and his right leg on Wednesday, 21 January, only a week after enrolling at Andrew Zondo Primary School.
The fire was started the previous day to burn refuse and papers. More disturbingly, his family has still not learnt how the incident happened and the school is now by the after the Grade R learner was sent to the Lovu Clinic for treatment without informing his parents.
His grandmother Busisiwe Shoba visited the SUN on Monday morning, 27 January and the SUN met her at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi on Tuesday afternoon to visit the little patient. Two of his teachers were at his bedside on arrival, but neither would give details or speak to the SUN, only saying “the matter is under investigation”.
KZN MEC for education, Kwazi Mshengu said an investigation was launched after gross negligence was suspected. “We have instituted an investigation so that we caan establish exactly what happened to Mpendulo Mkhize. Reports that the school sent the child to a clinic without informing the family are also disturbing,” said Mshengu.
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Since the death of his mother, Mpendulo has been living with his aunt Nkonzo Mkhize and she called his grandmother after hearing about the incident from the school. “When they took him to the clinic, they didn’t treat his burns and wouldn’t even administer first aid. They said we must take him to the hospital. He was in such pain, he cried all the way to the hospital,” said Busisiwe. “He was such a happy little boy, now he is scared and cries all the time.”
It is believed Mpendulo left the classroom during school time to go to the toilet. The teachers heard him screaming and when they went to investigate, found him badly burnt. The teachers cannot give Busisiwe any more information of how or why the incident happened and she has had no luck in getting a response from the principal either.
“I went to the school on Friday and the principal wasn’t there. I went back on Monday and when I spoke to him, he said he hadn’t spoken to the teachers yet to find out what had happened. Mpendulo was in so much pain since Wednesday, I haven’t questioned him about how it happened.” As his school uniform and shoes were destroyed, Busisiwe said the school was more focussed on what she wanted in compensation, rather than giving her the answers she needs.
She had hoped her grandson would be discharged on Monday, but the doctor said he would reassess him today (Thursday, 30 January) before he can be discharged. “I’m just happy that he was looking much better on Tuesday than over the weekend. I’m angry that no-one is talking to me and I’ve been so worried, I haven’t been able to eat since it happened.”
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Unaware that the matter is being investigated, she even visited the department of education offices in Umbumbulu, to no avail. “I went to Toti police station, but they said I must go to KwaMakhutha. When I got to KwaMakhutha, they didn’t treat me nicely and turned me away. All I want is answers.”
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