GAUTENG Education MEC Matome Chiloane said they're deeply saddened by the deaths of two pupils from Daveyton Skills School in Benoni, Ekurhuleni.
The pupils died on Monday, 15 April.
The MEC said the pupils allegedly drowned during a discipline camp at the Hennops River. The pupils, aged 13 and 16, attended a discipline camp held by the non-governmental organisation Rising Stars Generation in Tshwane from Friday, 12 April, and were scheduled to return on Monday, 15 April.
"It's alleged that after activities concluded on Monday afternoon, one of the pupils suddenly ran towards a nearby river close to the campsite entrance. A second pupil followed in an attempt to bring him back.
"It's further alleged that the pupil who ran off jumped into the river, prompting the second pupil to try and rescue him. However, both pupils drowned as a result," Chiloane said.
He said the incident was reported to Emergency Medical Services and the police.
The police managed to recover their bodies.
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"Our psycho-social support Unit will be dispatched to the school to provide necessary trauma support and counselling.
"We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate deaths of our pupils during a school excursion. On behalf of the department, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to their respective families and the Daveyton Skills School community," said Chiloane.
City of Tshwane Emergency Services spokesman deputy chief Charles Mabaso said the two pupils drowned on the Hennops River near Centurion in Tshwane.
"Emergency Services arrived on the scene to find that two boys, aged between 13 and 16, had drowned. It's alleged that the boys were engaged in a water activity as part of a school excursion," he said.
He said that the bodies were recovered by the SAPS divers.
"Circumstances leading to the drowning incident remain a subject of investigation by the SAPS," said Mabaso.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said cops have opened an inquest docket.
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