Department denies grade 2 learner fell into a pit toilet

The Limpopo Department of Education has confirmed that a grade 2 learner was trapped into an Enviroloo toilet manhole cover but denied that the 8-year-old fell into the pit latrine toilet at Lefatane Primary School, Ga-Makgato.

According to the EFF in Limpopo, a young boy fell into a pit toilet on Wednesday. This is when he wanted to relieve himself. 

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“This government has not learnt anything from the late Michael Komape incident which continues to haunt the family and the people of our province,” said EFF provincial chairperson Lawrance Mapoulo. 

“We have not healed from this incident which should not have happened in the first place. The ANC-led government failed a young boy who is only 8 years old and many more pupils who are still using pit toilets in their schools within the province. Had the ANC built proper flushing toilets, this kind of situation would have been avoided,” they said.  However, the department has come out to clarify that the learner was trapped in an Enviroloo toilet manhole cover.

LIMPOPO EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CLARIFIES THE ALLEGATION OF A LEARNER TRAPPED IN A PIT TOILET

“The Department would like to put it on record that the learner did not fall into the Pit latrine toilet. But rather partially trapped in an Enviroloo cover outside the toilet, hence no injuries were reported,” they said.

“It is reported that a Grade 1 learner saw a fellow learner climbing and jumping from one cover to the other and got trapped in one of the Enviroloo manhole covers.

“The parents of the learner were called to school regarding the incident. They ultimately took the child to the nearest clinic for medical attention. The department can confirm that no injuries were reported,” they further explained.

“A safe school environment remains a priority, and it ensures that learners are able to learn without fear.”