Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) Minister Panyaza Lesufi will be paying visits to both schools and family of the siblings that lost their lives after consuming an energy drink before going to school on 26 May 2022.
In a statement, Lesufi shared:
Firstly, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, particularly the mother of the deceased learners. I further extend my condolences to friends, fellow learners, and teachers of the learners, especially those who had witnessed these tragic incidents.
The department’s psycho-social team was at the school to offer counseling and support to the school community.
This comes after Gauteng Education had received news of the passing of three boys, aged 3, 13, and 16, who were siblings and also were all learners at Ratanda Primary and Khanya Lesedi Secondary Schools in Ratanda.
According to preliminary reports received by the department, it has been alleged that the father of the siblings had given all five children energy drinks as they prepared for school.
Four of the siblings had consumed the energy drink, whilst the fifth sibling did not.
Gauteng Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona shared that two of the siblings passed on at the school premises after complaining about stomach cramps, whilst the third one passed on as he was being rushed to the nearest hospital.
According to Lesufi, the fourth sibling is in a critical condition in hospital while the fifth is in good condition as he did not consume the energy drink.
According to Lesufi, law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the boys.
As the department pays a visit to both the family and schools, it hopes to also get more details in the visit.
