Courts & Legal
Court rules Motheo TVET College liable for student’s fatal workshop fire
Nearly eight years after a devastating workshop fire changed one Free State family forever, the courts have delivered a ruling that places responsibility squarely on the institution where it happened.
The Bloemfontein High Court has found that Motheo TVET College is liable for the damages suffered by the family of Chris Steyl, a mechanical engineering student who died after being severely burned during practical training on campus in 2017.
For many in the technical and vocational education sector, the judgment has reignited difficult but necessary conversations about student safety.
The day that changed everything
On 30 October 2017, Steyl was working on a vehicle engine as part of his mechanical engineering course at the college. During the practical session, the motor vehicle caught fire.
He sustained third-degree burns over 48 percent of his body. A lecturer extinguished the flames and transported him to the hospital, where he was admitted to the trauma unit before being moved to intensive care.
Despite emergency treatment and weeks in the ICU, Steyl died a month later. Medical testimony revealed that he suffered severe inhalation injuries. He was placed on ventilator support and closely monitored. Although he was initially stable, he later developed a fever and respiratory failure. The autopsy confirmed severe inhalation injury. His mother was informed that septicemia was the cause of death.
For his family, the hospital vigil ended in heartbreak.
What the court heard
Steyl’s mother and twin brother approached the High Court, seeking damages from the college.
Evidence before the court painted a troubling picture of safety standards during practical training. A former student testified that no formal safety training had been provided. According to this testimony, students were issued tools but were not instructed on how to use them properly on vehicles brought in for repairs. He also told the court that most fire extinguishers were not in good working order.
He did not witness the exact moment of ignition, but he saw the engine ablaze and Steyl covered in flames before a lecturer put out the fire.
The court heard that although students were expected to wear full protective clothing, many worked in overall trousers and T-shirts. On the day of the incident, Steyl was wearing only his pants and a black T-shirt. He had removed his top and placed it in his locker because of the heat.
A safety officer testified about what should be standard practice in environments where dangerous materials are handled. Proper training, suitable tools, awareness of hazards, and fully functional safety systems, he said, are essential. Students who are not properly trained should not be permitted to work in such conditions.
The defendants denied negligence. They argued that reasonable steps had been taken, that students and lecturers were informed of risks, and that safe work procedures and health and safety measures were in place.
The court, however, found otherwise.
Breach of duty
In its judgment issued earlier this month, the High Court concluded that the absence of proper training, inadequate protective equipment, and the failure to maintain functional safety systems amounted to a breach of duty.
The burn injuries were found to be the direct cause of the complications that ultimately led to Steyl’s death.
The ruling means the college is liable for the damages suffered by the family.
Why this case matters beyond one campus
TVET colleges play a critical role in South Africa’s skills pipeline. In provinces like the Free State, they are often the gateway to employment in trades such as mechanics, welding, and electrical work. Practical training is central to these qualifications, and with that comes inherent risk.
This judgment underscores a clear message. Institutions that offer hands-on training carry a legal duty to ensure that safety measures are not just written policies but lived realities in workshops and classrooms.
Across social media, reaction to the ruling has centred on accountability and the protection of young trainees entering high-risk fields. Many have pointed to the broader need for consistent enforcement of health and safety standards across vocational institutions.
For families who send their children to technical colleges with hopes of a stable future, the expectation is simple. Training must be rigorous, but it must also be safe.
As the damages phase proceeds, the case stands as a stark reminder that in environments where engines, fuel, and heat meet, there is no room for shortcuts.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: iStock
