7 November 2006
The Gauteng Department of Education has learnt with deep sadness of the
passing of another staff member from Igagasi Primary School.
The staff member was critically injured when a school-hired kombi overturned
on its way back to Gauteng from the funeral of a learner in Newcastle in
KwaZulu-Natal.
The passing of the staff member brings the number of deaths associated with
the incident to three.
An educator, Mrs Thokozile Ngema, died on the scene of the accident while Mr
William Mphuthi, the owner of the hired bus, committed suicide on hearing of
the incident.
The educator and staff member, both from Igagasi Primary School in
Spruitview, Ekurhuleni, were part of a group who attended the funeral of a
Grade 7 learner, Siyabonga Mwanda.
The district office in Ekurhuleni will provide counselling to the learners,
educators and those that survived the accident. A memorial service will be held
at the school on Thursday, 8 November 2006, and a joint funeral will be held
over the weekend.
The MEC for Education, Ms Angie Motshekga, will visit the families of the
deceased later today, at 12h30
Enquiries:
Panyaza Lesufi
Cell: 083 256 7933
Mbela Phetlhe
Cell: 083 700 1076
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 November 2006
