Author: ECDOE
Date: 06 May 2021
Seven learners from Nzulula primary school were badly burned and two of them succumbed to burnt wounds and died [passed on] after they were rushed to hospital following a tragic incident which occurred at school Tuesday 4 May 2021. 
 
The learners caught fire while trying to burn a snake they saw in the grounds of the school premises during break time. 
 
Educators became aware of the snake when they saw learners stoning it and they quickly tried to intervene by joining the learners in killing the snake.
The seven learners were unfortunately caught by the flames of the fire in the process. 
 
One of the seven learners is in a critical condition and being treated at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, while four of them are being treated at St Barnabas hospital in Libode and two also passed on at the St Barnabas and Nelson Mandela Academic hospitals. 
 
The department has sent psychosocial support to the school to provide counseling services to the teachers and learners.  Additionally, a team from the department will also visit the school and the affected families today including the two bereaved families to pay their respect. 
 
An intervention team will also be dispatched to deal with Learners, Teachers and Parents of the injured including those who passed on. 
 
MEC Fundile Gade sends his condolences to the families, friends, school and the community of the learner who succumbed to the incident. 
 
For more information, contact the EC Department of Education’s Spokesperson, Mali Mtima on 084 230 1976/ MEC Spokesperson, Vuyiseka Mboxela on 0717132222. Issued by the Eastern Cape Department of Education.