The grandfather of a three-year-old boy who died after a bookshelf collapsed on him at a creche in Bedfordview on Tuesday has accused the preschool of trying to cover up what happened.
“Now, I am sure that the school didn't mean for this to happen. I'm sure. But what they did afterwards? They tried to cover it up — that's what makes us really angry,” Sipho Radebe said on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, a day after the tragedy, members of his family and the department of education visited the school.
“The treatment that we got when we demanded to see the footage — we saw the footage at 6 o'clock because we didn't want to leave this place [before seeing the footage]. It became really ugly because we were demanding to see the footage to find out what happened,” said Radebe.
“This could have been prevented. I would be really surprised if the report comes out and says they were not negligent.”
Kganya Mokhele was in a classroom with other children and teachers at the Little Ashford preschool when the bookcase lined with toys fell on him.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane was moved by the incident. He put a hand on his head as he stood in the doorway of the classroom where the incident unfolded.
Chiloane said the department would be instituting its own investigation into the facility’s safety compliance.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
WATCH | 'They tried to cover it up': grandfather of toddler killed at Bedfordview creche
The grandfather of a three-year-old boy who died after a bookshelf collapsed on him at a creche in Bedfordview on Tuesday has accused the preschool of trying to cover up what happened.
“Now, I am sure that the school didn't mean for this to happen. I'm sure. But what they did afterwards? They tried to cover it up — that's what makes us really angry,” Sipho Radebe said on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, a day after the tragedy, members of his family and the department of education visited the school.
“The treatment that we got when we demanded to see the footage — we saw the footage at 6 o'clock because we didn't want to leave this place [before seeing the footage]. It became really ugly because we were demanding to see the footage to find out what happened,” said Radebe.
“This could have been prevented. I would be really surprised if the report comes out and says they were not negligent.”
Kganya Mokhele was in a classroom with other children and teachers at the Little Ashford preschool when the bookcase lined with toys fell on him.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane was moved by the incident. He put a hand on his head as he stood in the doorway of the classroom where the incident unfolded.
Chiloane said the department would be instituting its own investigation into the facility’s safety compliance.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
Pool of blood among crayons and toys a shrine to deadly Bedfordview creche tragedy
Father accuses crèche of negligence after child dies in shelf collapse
Three-year-old dies after bookshelf falls on him at creche
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
News and promos in your inbox
subscribeMost read
Latest Videos