Family demands answers after 15-year-old electrocuted at Limpopo school

A Grade 7 learner died after being electrocuted on school premises, and his family is calling for an investigation into safety at the school.

What happened

The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed that 15-year-old Grade 7 learner Tšegofatšo Ntimani was electrocuted on the grounds of Mokutupi Primary School in the Mopani West Education District during lunch break. Paramedics attended to the learner but he was certified dead at the scene.

Family account and safety concerns

According to IOL, his uncle, Daniel Sambo, said learners had been splashing each other with water when Tšegofatšo came into contact with an exposed power cable.

“It’s summer, and they were playing with water and splashing each other. They then came into contact with an exposed power cable,” Sambo said.

According to IOL, Sambo said parts of electrical cables connected to air conditioners in four mobile classrooms had been cut and left exposed after unknown people allegedly stole parts of the cables. He warned that the exposed cables posed a serious danger to learners.

“There are cables under these mobile classrooms, and that is not safe for a primary school because kids are not safe there,” Sambo said.

Impact on the family and school community

According to IOL, Sambo described the family’s struggle to accept the death and said the boy’s mother was devastated. He said other children in the family who attend the same school are now fearful.

“We have five children who are going to the same school, and now they fear that the same thing will happen to them because they saw what happened,” he said.

According to IOL, Sambo remembered Tšegofatšo as “a loving, happy and energetic child” and quoted him saying the learner loved listening to music and often helped others.

“He was someone who loved listening to music… He was a loving person. He was such a happy person,” Sambo said.

According to IOL, Sambo said the boy had spoken about wanting to become a teacher.

“He was always saying that when he grows up he wants to be a teacher because he said he loved educating people,” Sambo said.

Official response and next steps

The department confirmed it is investigating the incident and is awaiting a full report. Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya conveyed condolences to the family and the Mokutupi Primary School community and said authorities were working to establish the full circumstances.

The department said further assessments will be conducted to ensure safety and security at the school, and that psychosocial support would be provided to affected learners and staff.

Family calls for action

According to IOL, the family has urged the education department to investigate and address safety concerns at the school to prevent a similar tragedy.

“We also call on the department to conduct investigations to determine what happened and solve this problem because it might happen again, and make sure that children are safe at school,” Sambo said.

According to IOL, Tšegofatšo is expected to be buried in the area on Saturday, September 12.