By Doreen Mokgolo
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says a teacher from the Daveyton Skills School has been served with a suspension notice after two learners drowned at a “discipline camp” that they and 88 other “naughty” learners were sent to.
“Disciplinary hearings have started, and the educator’s lawyers have responded and we are now dealing with a legal matter,” Chiloane said.
The MEC was speaking at the funeral service of Siphamandla Peterson, 15, and Sibusiso Sibiya, 17, who drowned on the last day of a four-day “discipline camp” at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion, Tshwane, last Monday.
“As a department, we apologise to both families. What happened was not our intention or wish when you handed your children to us.
“What is important is for us to shoulder the blame and not point fingers at each other. Everywhere, there should be monitoring. Someone accounts to someone, and in this case, someone failed to account to someone.
“This is not the time for us to defend ourselves. As a leader in the department I take full responsibility,” he said.
Siphamandla’s grandmother, Nomsa Mathebula, said the family blames the school principal and school officials.
“We want to see action after this; we want to see people getting arrested [and] whoever allowed our children to go to that camp being held accountable,” she said.
Learners who went to the camp allege that they were assaulted, hauled out of bed at 3am, harassed by dogs and forced to drink dirty dishwashing water among other humiliations.
A learner, who was among the 90 who attended the camp, told Scrolla.Africa they were told they were going to have fun.
“We were forced to swim, but the water was too deep and slippery. We want to know why they forced us to swim when they knew there were no lifeguards on site,” he said.
The learner said he needs counselling: “I have trauma, when I am quiet I can see the ordeal replaying in my head.”
On its Facebook page, Rising Star Generation describes itself as a “Youth Development NPO that trains young people to become leaders of change and competent in their own fields. Drill out the talent and install discipline.”
Pictured above: Matome Chiloane speaking at the funeral.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
