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Four High School Pupils Suspected of Dying from Poisoning in Ivory Park
Four high school pupils from Ivory Park, Johannesburg, fell ill at Eqinisweni Secondary School. According to Jacaranda FM, Gauteng Department of Education was alarmed and took measures on suspicion of poisoning. The suicides, which are said to have taken place between April 26 and May 5, 2024, happened. Victims of this tragic act are a grade 10 girl, a grade 11 girl, a grade 11 boy, and a grade 12 girl.
As stated in the GDE, the cause of death for all four students was at home after a poisonous product was ingested. Simon Mabona, the spokesperson for the department, affirms that social workers have been sent to comfort the community of the institution with grief counselling and also for the families of the deceased. “According to information at our disposal, the first incident occurred on Friday, 26 April 2024,” said Mabona. “It is alleged that a Grade 10 girl learner drank poison at home. She was rushed to a local clinic, where she was unfortunately declared dead.”
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The following were then reported with another student found dead at home on May 2, and a boy fell sick at home on May 3 after ingesting poison, but this time, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. An incident occurred on May 5 wherein a Grade 12 girl ingested poison at home and passed on while the ambulance was carrying her to a clinic nearby.
Children in distress are advised to turn to Childline 116, a helping hand accessible at any time. In the meantime, however, the police are investigating the murder of a teacher from Thuto-Lore Secondary School in Sharpeville, whose body was found close to Dlomo Dam after she was reported missing over the weekend. This facility will also offer an avenue for students to deal with trauma and undergo counselling and psychological support.
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Picture: Unsplash / Blake Wisz
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