A minor has sustained fatal injuries after a section of a wall collapsed on him at Lerutle Primary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, yesterday.

The Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says a section of the school wall reportedly collapsed during interval, falling onto six learners and leaving them with severe injuries.

“Tragically, one of the injured learners, a Grade 3 boy, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention in hospital.”

Mabona has since confirmed that the department will be providing the affected families with the necessary support during this difficult time.

“The Gauteng Department of Education has deployed psycho-social support teams to provide counselling and emotional support to affected learners, educators, and the bereaved family during this difficult period,” said Mabona.

Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on government to address the maintenance of school buildings to avoid further fatalities.

“The collapse of a wall at Lerutle Primary School is confirmation that our learners are no longer safe at school. Schools carry a legal and moral duty to provide a conducive and safe environment for learning and teaching. The circumstances surrounding this incident suggest that reasonable steps to prevent harm may not have been taken.”

While the Gauteng Department of Education has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse, Makaneta is calling for severe consequences for those responsible for this tragic incident.

“It is necessary that a thorough investigation be conducted without delay and that all findings be made public. Accountability must not end with expressions of sympathy; it must include consequences for any party found to have acted negligently in their duty of care.”