South Africa: Investigation Launched Into Five-Year-Old's Playground Injury At Tshwane School

What the report says

The Gauteng Department of Education has opened an investigation into a reported injury suffered by a five-year-old Grade R learner at Nchuncheko Primary School in Soshanguve, Tshwane, after a Health-e News report brought the case to officials’ attention. The child, Katlego Setshedi, was hurt while playing on a metal swing during lunch break on 24 August, according to the account published by Health-e and relayed by her mother. The family says the injury was caused by a loose screw and that the school did not provide first aid or notify the parent immediately.

Health-e reported that the child finished the school day before walking home, where she arrived with heavy bleeding. She was then taken to a clinic and later transferred to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital for surgery. The report said the mother feared sexual assault at first, but a doctor at the clinic found signs of injury from a sharp object and no indication of abuse. Health-e also said the school lacked an obvious sick bay or first-aid facility when reporters visited.

Education department spokesperson Onwabile Maphosa Lubhelwana said officials were dispatched after the report emerged and confirmed the teacher on duty was absent that day, with two other Grade R educators supervising learners. The department said its psychosocial support team was also sent to assist the child. The Gauteng Health Department, however, disputed parts of the mother’s account of care at hospital, saying the child was assessed and later prepared for theatre. The case raises questions about school supervision, emergency response and record-keeping at public schools.