Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says the families of the two learners who drowned during a school excursion in Centurion, outside Tshwane, informed him that the deceased were allegedly abused. Siphamandla Peterson (15) and Sibusiso Sibiya (17) from the Daveyton Skills School in Benoni died when they drowned at the Rock Fall Adventure Camping site during a discipline camp.

Chiloane visited the school and the families yesterday and said that the learners were allegedly assaulted as part of an exercise claiming it was for discipline. "The families have brought it to our attention that the kids were abused there. They were assaulted as part of the exercise while they said it was a discipline camp," he said, adding that despite appointing an independent law firm to investigate the matter, they intend to involve other relevant stakeholders to bring those accountable to book. "There is some information coming in bits and pieces. This is quite unfortunate. Ideally, I should have gotten it firsthand from the principal." he added.

The Sibiya family spokesperson, Nomusa Mathebula, said she was hurt and strongly believed that their children were neglected. "We'll be glad if the department fast tracks investigations and those that are responsible are brought to justice," she said. The MEC said they have clear guidelines on how school trips should be carried and if people continues to not follow the rules, there will be consequences. "We have been clear, and I think all schools, not only in Gauteng, but across the country can see what is happening with trips that are unsanctioned, trips where there is water, trips where there are not enough educators on site and the vigilance of the educators. If things continue to happen this way, we will continue to act against those who have not done their work until educators understand that it is people's children that they are taking there on excursions." Yesterday, Chiloane revealed that only one social worker was responsible for 90 learners during the trip. He also said that no single teacher was around during the three-day excursion when the two learners drowned.