Enock Mpianzi’s family seeks R20 million settlement from GDE

The family of 13-year-old Enock Mpianzi is demanding R20 million from the Gauteng Department of Education.

It’s understood the family is at loggerheads with the department after they refused an initial settlement of R10 million.

The grade 8 pupil drowned in January during an unauthorized Parktown Boys’ High School excursion in the North West.

The teenager was swept away on a makeshift raft built as part of the camp’s water-based activity on the Crocodile River.

An independent forensic investigation into the incident found negligence on the part of the Parktown Boys’ principal, teachers, the camp facilitators and the school governing body.

Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said although the drowning was tragic, the department couldn’t afford to give the family what they were asking for.

“We tried our level best to persuade the Mpianzi family and their legal firm to accept the offer we presented as a department so we can close this chapter. Unfortunately, we disagreed and the family still insists the department give them R20 million as the settlement. This amount is way beyond what the department is in a position to afford.”

Lesufi said headmaster Malcolm Williams had appealed his dismissal and would remain employed until his appeal process was finalized.

Meanwhile, the department says negotiations are underway to reach an out-of-court settlement with the family of 13-year-old Keamohetswe Seboko, who drowned on school premises at Laerskool Bekker on the same day that Mpianzi died.

-EWN

In other news – Photos: Connie Ferguson’s tomboy daughter Alie wears a dress for the first time in 11 years, and she is hot

Connie Ferguson was a proud mother yesterday as her second daughter Alicia Ferguson as her daughter said goodbye to high school by attending her matric dance. Ever the doting mother Connie made sure to make the day a memorable on. She took to her Instagram to show and see her off.

From the ride, the face beat and the outfit the mom wanted to capture everything. Learn More