The Gauteng Department of Education is investigating an incident in which five-year-old Grade R learner Katlego Setshedi was injured while playing on a metal swing at Nchuncheko Primary School in Soshanguve, Tshwane. The incident occurred during lunch break on 24 August. Katlego’s mother, Tsholofelo Setshedi, said her daughter reported being injured by a loose screw on the swing. She alleged that the school did not provide first aid or notify her about the incident and that Katlego remained at school until the end of the day.
Setshedi said her daughter arrived home with significant bleeding and was taken to Soshanguve Clinic 2, where a doctor attributed the injuries to a sharp object and found no indication of sexual abuse. Katlego was later transferred to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, underwent surgery and, according to her mother, remained in hospital for four days.
The Gauteng Education Department said it had not received a report about the incident before being contacted by Health-e News. Officials were subsequently dispatched to investigate the incident and related allegations, and a Psychosocial Support Team was assigned to assist Katlego. The department said the investigation’s findings would determine further action.
