The family of 13-year old Enoch Mpianzi says all it wants is to see justice being served for the boy’s death. On Tuesday, the family together with the South African Human Rights Commission went to the Nyati Bush campsite in Brits in the North West to conduct an inspection. However, they were denied access to the facility and were forced to enter the premises, by jumping over the gate.
The Parktown boys high school learner drowned in the Crocodile River while attending a grade 8 orientation camp at the facility last week. It’s understood that Mpianzi was swept away after the makeshift raft he built together with other learners capsized during an activity. Mpianzi’s father Ekhila Guy says he’s devastated.
“It’s very painful. Very painful, even you, I don’t know how you will feel if they brought you to see where your son or your brother or your relative dies in such a condition, how will you feel, it is very painful. We are seeking for justice, we are seeking justice.”
People on Twitter have been sharing their thoughts on the tragic death of Parktown Boys learner Enoch Mpianzi, with many saying the story on his death does not make sense.
Something doesn’t ADD up here !!!!!!!!! #ParktownBoysCamp
— MSAKAZI (@MpumiMlambo2) January 17, 2020
This #ParktownBoysCamp story does not add up.
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) January 17, 2020
#ParktownBoysCamp So correct me if I'm wrong. Enoch went missing on Wednesday, & they only found out on Thursday. So when the activity was done, none of the teachers bothered to count if all the kids were back? Okay dinner time? alright, what about when it was bedtime? haibo.
— Palesa💐 (@Palee_Mautloa) January 17, 2020
I honestly think the school did their own search before reporting. They were too concerned about a media frenzy than the crucial first hours of a missing child. Time was spent crisis managing then 48 hours later they reported. Nothing else makes sense. #ParktownBoysCamp
— Sis wa Tito to You (@vumiley) January 17, 2020
We don’t send our kids to Schools to DIE! Stop the STRANGE PRACTICEs! #ParktownBoysCamp
— African (@ali_naka) January 17, 2020
Imagine sending your kid to school and he returns in a body bag. 😭💔
With that being said, stop this damn initiation nonsense!!! Why do kids have to prove that they are “worthy” of attending school as if the parents are paying their fees? #ParktownBoysCamp— Keisha. (@Miss_Gallie) January 17, 2020
They arrived on camp on Wednesday. And their first activity was to build a home made raft in a group of 12. Unfortunately The raft overturned. a teacher's natural inclination to such is to ensure all students are safe by COUNTING them. #ParktownBoysCamp
— Ketso🌼 (@Ketso28) January 17, 2020
Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Gauteng Manager, Buang Jones, says they want the police to issue a warrant of arrest for the owner.
“The owner has not granted us access, the gate is still locked. We are told by the manager that the owner is consulting her lawyers. We have asked the SAPS to consider issuing a warrant of arrest because they have obstructed and interfered with our lawful investigations as a Chapter 9 body. The conduct of the owner amounts to a criminal offense from the proper reading of our act.”