By Doreen Mokgolo
The principal of Daveyton Skills School is being blamed for the deaths of two learners, Siphamandla Peterson, 15, and Sibusiso Sibiya, 17, who drowned at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion in April.
Siphamandla allegedly ran off from the group of learners towards the Hennops River and jumped in. Sibusiso jumped in to rescue him, but they both drowned.
The principal sent 90 learners to a discipline camp without getting permission from the Gauteng Education Department.
She also didn’t follow important safety rules, according to an investigation by Seanego Attorneys – an independent law firm appointed by the department to investigate the tragedy.
Investigator Thembekile Graham said: “The principal only sent one social worker to look after the learners, which is not enough. Teachers were not involved in planning the camp, and the social worker and camp staff were not qualified.
“She didn’t check their qualifications and didn’t tell parents about the risks.”
The principal said she didn’t know about the rules, but the investigation found this hard to believe since the department had told her twice about the importance of following them.
She even signed a memo about the rules on 5 February.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the education department will take action against the principal.
“We made sure that safety rules were in place for school trips, but she made decisions on her own without telling the school governing body,” Chiloane said.
Pictured above: Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane and investigator Thembekile Graham.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
