By: Natasha Archary
MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane has recommended an independent investigation into the drowning of Latoya Temilton.
The 12-year-old Laerskool Queenswood learner drowned whilst on a leadership camp on Saturday, 20 January, raising safety concerns over school camps across the country.
News of Latoya’s untimely and tragic passing broke on Newzroom Afrika after Latoya’s family highlighted the school’s poor handling of the unfortunate situation.
In an interview with the Grade 7 learner’s family, the circumstances around Latoya’s passing were questioned, and concerns over negligence on the school’s part were raised.
The family shared that other parents and learners at the school were asked to “keep the incident under wraps”, and not say anything on social media.
Latoya’s family called on the Education Department to ensure safety measures are put into place during school camps to prevent further tragedies.
The young TikToker attended the school’s leadership day camp which was held to induct new prefects into the school.
At approximately 15h30 on Saturday, Latoya’s family received a devastating call from the school’s principal informing them that there had been a terrible accident and that the young TikToker had hit her head on the edge of the pool.
“At about 15h30 we get a call from the principal, Mr Ludik who said, ‘Hi, how are you? There’s been an accident, Latoya has hit her head on the pool edge.’
Latoya has hit her head? Ok, is it bad?
He says yes it’s bad.”
After informing the family that emergency personnel were on the scene, communication from the school stopped.
The principal finally called Latoya’s mom back to inform her that her daughter was no more.
To piece together what had happened, the family spoke to Latoya’s friends who shared that they were at the pool area when they realized Latoya was missing.
According to the children, two male learners retrieved Latoya’s lifeless body from the bottom of the pool.
Latoya’s twin brother who was also at the camp has been traumatized by the ordeal and hasn’t spoken since his sister’s passing.
A memorial service for Latoya was held at the Pretoria primary school on Wednesday, 24 January, and Latoya’s family will be laying her to rest in Mpumalanga over the weekend.
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