The Gauteng Department of Education has delayed investigations into the death of toddler Kganya Mokhele, who was killed when an unsecured bookshelf collapsed on him at Little Ashford Preschool in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.
The department is waiting to appoint an independent firm to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred over a month ago.
Kganya was reaching for a toy on one of the shelves when the 2-meter-high bookshelf lost balance and collapsed. The school has reopened, and four staff members who were seen on CCTV footage sitting on their phones during the incident have returned to work pending the outcome of the school’s internal investigation.
The Gauteng Department of Education’s focus is currently on assessing the school’s compliance with standards in the early childhood development sector.
Despite community concerns about zoning regulations, none of the allegations have been substantiated. Meanwhile, Kganya’s family is preparing to mark what would have been his third birthday.