​Christopher Sello
The Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, mourns the deaths of two young learners from Daveyton Skills School in Benoni. 
Following the tragic incident which occurred on Monday, 15 April 2024, where the two boys, aged 13 and 16 years, allegedly drowned during a discipline camp at Hennops River. Reports indicate that the learners were participating in a discipline camp organized by the non-governmental organization Rising Stars Generation in Pretoria. 
The camp began on Friday, 12 April 2024, with the learners expected to return on Monday, 15 April 2024. Tragedy struck in the afternoon when one of the learners suddenly ran towards a river near the campsite entrance. The second learner rushed to help him, but both ended up drowning in the river.
Emergency Medical Services and the police were alerted to the scene, and the bodies of the two learners were recovered.
In response to the devastating news, the Department will be sending a Psycho-Social Support Unit to provide trauma counselling and support to the school community.
 
MEC Chiloane expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the two learners and the entire Daveyton Skills School community. 
"We are deeply saddened by the unfortune deaths of our learners during a school excursion. On behalf of the Department, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to their respective families and the Daveyton Skills School community," said MEC Chiloane.