Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Gauteng education department has appointed law firm, Diale Attorneys, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Tsakane pupil.
Nhlanhla Tshabalala died after allegedly being assaulted by a teacher and a general assistant at Tsakane Secondary School after a scuffle over a toy gun.
The 15-year-old was a Grade 9 pupil at Retshegofaditswe Secondary School and had reportedly gone to Tsakane Secondary School to retrieve his cellphone.
His death led to protests at all seven high schools in the area.
Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was supposed to have met with the school governing body and the Tshabalala family, but was a no-show.
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The law firm was appointed two days before school closed, said Gauteng east district director Simokazi Chabalala. The department said it expected to finish its investigations five days after schools reopened.
The law firm was due to interview the family on Monday.
Nhlanhla’s father, Jacob Tshabalala, said the family was willing to cooperate with the law firm. He said they’d handover his post-mortem report and a video of the incident.
“We don’t want what happened to Nhlanhla to happen to anyone else. We will work together to make sure that our child rests in peace.”
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Tshabalala asked if the teacher and the general assistant were still employed.
Chabalala said: “Action will be taken once investigations are done. They have not been at school since the incident. When the report comes, it’ll will have recommendations.”
She said protests outside the school had left the two staff members fearing for their lives.
“We have seen their lives being threatened in the community. They have been reporting to the district office and not the school.”
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