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The Headman for Chebe Village in Centane, Zingisa Nonxuba, appealed to government to take care of access roads in the rural areas.
Nonxuba said this after the School Management for Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School hosted a memorial service, remembering the lives of two learners who drowned while trying to cross a local river, last week. Grade 11 learner, Lindokuhle Komani (16), and Grade 8 learner, Qiqa Khwatsha (13), will be buried today (March 30) at their homes at Chebe Village.
“We are still shocked about this incident, because our bridge is very high; we never had such a problem before. We took a decision that there should be communication between parents and teachers all the time when the weather is bad, so that learners could know whether to go to school or not,” said Nonxuba.
Nodolazana Komani described Lindokuhle as someone who liked her schoolwork.
“She was very helpful even here at home and I was hoping that she will bring light to our family one day. I am still shocked that she has gone, and unfortunately, I cannot do anything to bring her back,” said Komani.
According to the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Education, Mali Mtima, the district stated that although these learners were crossing as a group of five, unfortunately two were swept away by a huge tide flowing from the mountain side of the river.
“These learners were going home after their principal released them from school due to bad weather, so that they could cross the river before it flooded. Unfortunately, a strong huge tide from the mountain side of the river erupted and washed away the two from the group,” said Mtima.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened for investigation following two learners who drowned at Chebe Bridge in Centane. “Police were summoned to an incident, and on arrival they were informed that two bodies were found by the community members. The other four learners were rescued by the community members. They were all coming back from school at Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School,” said Kinana.
