Family demands answers after Grade R learner dies at school

February 13, 2026 97

The family of a Grade R learner who was found dead at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville has expressed frustration with the school, accusing it of being dishonest about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

According to reports, five-year-old Manqoba Mnisi, was injured on Monday, allegedly after being left alone in a classroom during a school function. He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

It is alleged that the learner attempted to climb out of a classroom window, became trapped and suffocated. Reports further suggest that his cries for help went unheard amid noise from the function, and that he was eventually discovered by a passer-by.

His death has left his family shattered and the community demanding answers.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the learner’s aunt, Pumla Malandisa, rejected the school’s account that the child fainted near the toilets, saying the family believes there may have been an attempt to cover up what happened.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, expressed concern that the incident occurred while the learner was under the school’s care.

Chiloane visited the bereaved family of the five-year-old on Friday, following the learner’s tragic death.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education has since appointed a law firm to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Speaking outside the family’s home, Chiloane said the investigation is necessary due to conflicting reports about what led to the child’s passing.

“It is a difficult period for the family and for us as a sector and you would have also seen that this has affected many communities across the province as well by the incident. The family is looking for answers and these are answers we are willing to provide that is why we are setting up this independent investigation to really get to the bottom of what really happened there. There have been many reports which are coming in and there are some conflicting contradictions among them. This is why we have set up this independent investigating law firm to assist,” Chiloane said.

Chiloane said the investigation will also examine how the incident was handled by the school, including communication with the parents.

“We obviously know that the was in a incident that took place at the school. The communication between the parents and the school and how the subject was handled is due to be investigated. The parents were only notified at the hospital that the child had passed on,” Chiloane said.

WATCH | Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano emphasised the importance of launching an independent investigation into the death of Manqoba Mnisi, a 5 year old Grade R boy learner from Bernard Isaacs Primary School, whose passed away on school premises on Monday, 2 February 2026.… pic.twitter.com/CpmKgNwVCb

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) February 13, 2026