South African parents sue Minister of Education after their son drowns in latrine
The parents of a five-year-old South African boy, Michael Komape who
died after falling into a pit latrine at school are suing the Minister
of Basic Education.
The boy's mother, Rosina and her husband, James broke down in court
as they described finding his body on the first day of the civil
lawsuit.
Michael was a pupil at the Mahlodumela Primary School in the northern
Limpopo province. He had gone to the toilet on 20 January 2014 when he
disappeared. Mrs Komape told the court that the head teacher called her
and said her son was missing. She said a child in the same class told
her he had fallen into the toilet.
Michael's mother said that she "could see his whole arm but could not
see the rest of his body" and says she fainted after that. Mrs Komape
says she lost her job as a direct result of the trauma she suffered
because of her son's death.
The Komape family originally filed the lawsuit in 2015‚ but delays
mean the case is only just being heard in the Polokwane High Court.
Michael's parents are also suing the Limpopo education ministry and the
school principal, arguing they acted negligently or in violation of
learners' constitutional right to a basic education.
The Komapes say the toilets were dilapidated and therefore not fit
for human use. They are are seeking over three million rand ($210,000;
£160,000) for trauma, grief, medical expenses, funeral costs and lack of
earnings.
In court documents, the defendants deny that Michael's death was a
result of any negligent or unconstitutional conduct on their parts. They
say it was an accident.
Michael's death caused outrage in South Africa, and drew attention to
poor sanitation conditions in rural schools, but the Department of
Basic Education denies responsibility for his death.
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