Juliet Joseph, Marang Phooko, Dohne Damons
Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, paid a visit to Queens High School on Monday to address the loss of Brian Ndlovu, a Grade 9 student who tragically passed away on 31 July 2023. The visit comes amid allegations of bullying and a pending investigation into the circumstances of Brian’s death.
Confirming the details surrounding the unfortunate incident, MEC Chiloane revealed that Brian Ndlovu had succumbed to his condition on 31 July 2023 at Hillbrow Clinic. The Ndlovu family has voiced their concerns, alleging that Brian was given poison by another matric student in the school’s restrooms, with suspicions of bullying playing a role.
However, a preliminary report from the school administration paints a different picture. According to the school’s principal, Johan Lourens, there is no documented evidence suggesting that Brian was subjected to bullying during his time at Queens High School. The school’s security camera footage also failed to provide any substantiation for the alleged incident.
[WATCH] #QueensHighSchool Principal Johan Lourens says there are no records of Brian Ndlovu being bullied at the school.
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) August 7, 2023
Meanwhile, there are allegations that the boy was bullied numerous times. A pending investigation on his death is underway.#KayaNews #JusticeForBrian MP pic.twitter.com/0VGHehcHwx
The preliminary report by Gauteng Education further indicated that Brian had left school in apparent good health on the day of the incident. The MEC also shares that an altercation between Brian and a grade 8 learner had occurred earlier that same day. The dispute escalated to a physical altercation, leading to both sets of parents being summoned to the school for disciplinary actions on 1 August 2023. Regrettably, due to Brian’s untimely death, his parents could not attend the proceedings.
This was already reported on by Kaya News who shared the details of the events that transpired when Brain was at home on the day he died. Brian Ndlovu’s family shared that he told them that he had slapped a boy that day because the boy would not stop bullying him.
[WATCH] Gauteng Education MEC Chiloane says #QueensHighSchool has 96 functional CCTV cameras & they show the movement of Brian Ndlovu as normal on the day of his passing.
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) August 7, 2023
An investigation has been opened pertaining to the death of the learner.#KayaNews #JusticeForBrian MP pic.twitter.com/OLApo70mtV
Brian’s family reported that he had complained of stomach pain later that evening and was subsequently rushed to a nearby medical facility. Tragically, medical professionals were unable to save his life, certifying him dead upon his arrival at the facility.
As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brian Ndlovu’s passing continues, the police are actively involved in determining the exact sequence of events. MEC Chiloane emphasized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the pervasive nature of bullying in schools and the urgent need for intervention. In response, the Gauteng Department of Education initiated a school safety campaign named “Operation Kgutla Molao” to address bullying incidents and ensure necessary disciplinary actions are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
“We cannot underestimate the negative impact of bullying at our schools,” stated MEC Chiloane during his visit. “As such, we have launched a school safety campaign ‘Operation Kgutla Molao,’ which will assist us to attend to potential bullies, take them for necessary disciplinary intervention for the better, we need to assist them.”
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