A North West family is seeking answers after an 8-year-old girl died under mysterious circumstances at school, while her sister remains critically ill in hospital.
Heartbreak in Mahikeng
The Sedupelele family is grieving the loss of Ogone Sedupelele, a Grade 3 learner at GJ Podile Primary School in Mahikeng, who was found dead in a classroom last Friday. The devastating discovery was made by a parent who had arrived to collect their child’s report. Instead, they were met with the haunting image of a lifeless child lying unattended, with no emergency services in sight.
To make matters worse, Ogone’s 10-year-old sister also fell ill on the same day. In a shocking turn of events, she was allegedly told by a teacher to clean up her own vomit before being sent outside for fresh air. Her condition quickly worsened, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
A Timeline of Neglect
According to the family, it remains unclear exactly when Ogone passed away. They believe she may have been unresponsive for two to three hours before anyone raised the alarm. During that time, no ambulance was called, and the school failed to notify the family.
The school claims the girls might have become ill after consuming snacks from a nearby tuck shop, but the family is not satisfied with that explanation.
“There are so many things that don’t add up,” said family spokesperson Itumeleng Tau. “Our child was dead for hours, and the school did nothing—no medical help, no call to the family. It’s deeply concerning.”
A Painful Discovery
The girls’ mother, Boipelo Sedupelele, was inconsolable when she was informed. A parent, Nomonde Cindi, who discovered Ogone, described the traumatic experience.
“When I arrived, a teacher asked if I could identify a child lying on the floor,” she said. “I removed the hat from her face, and she wasn’t blinking. That’s when I knew something was terribly wrong.”
Cindi offered to help find the child’s family and was able to locate her uncle, who then contacted the mother. She also raised questions about how the school managed the situation, particularly how the sick sister was treated.
“The one who survived was told to clean up her own vomit. The one who passed away didn’t seem to get any attention. It’s heartbreaking,” said Cindi.
Government Response
In response to the incident, the North West Department of Education has pledged to support the Sedupelele family. A departmental team visited the family and confirmed they would assist with burial arrangements.
“The department will fully investigate the incident and make the findings public,” said spokesperson Mphata Molokwane. “We’re committed to ensuring a dignified send-off for the learner and full transparency for the public.”
This tragedy has sparked outrage over how schools handle medical emergencies and the accountability of staff when children’s lives are at stake. As the investigation unfolds, the community and the nation await answers.