Neelam Rahim – neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 minute read
17 September 2022
15h32

The Department of Education within the Free State has confirmed that a Grade 1 learner has died after his head got stuck in the frame of a mobile toilet in Bloemfontein.

According to spokesperson Howard Ndaba, the incident occurred on Friday, 16 September 2022, at Caleb Motshabi primary school.

“It is alleged that on Friday, 16 September 2022 during break time, around 11:10, 4 learners were playing in the mobile toilets. One closed the door and it couldn’t open. As the deceased learner was trying to use the framed window at the bathroom his body managed to get out but the head got stuck in the window frame,” he said.

The learner was removed from the toilet and brought into an empty classroom, where he was certified dead three hours later whilst anticipating an ambulance and Police.

The department says it’s dispatched officials from the psychosocial unit to render counselling services to the learners, teachers and everyone affected by the incident. At the same time, the Free State Education MEC, Dr Tate Makgoe, expresses his condolences to the deceased learner’s family.

“We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased learners, Caleb Motshabi Prmary School community, especially learners who might have witnessed this tragic incident. May they find comfort in knowing that we too share their pain and sorrow,” he said.

Local authorities are currently investigating the incident.