{"id":299684,"date":"2026-06-14T12:07:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T10:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?p=299684"},"modified":"2026-06-14T12:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T10:07:25","slug":"probe-launched-after-child-drowns-in-pit-toilet-at-eastern-cape-ecd-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/probe-launched-after-child-drowns-in-pit-toilet-at-eastern-cape-ecd-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Probe launched after child drowns in pit toilet at Eastern Cape ECD Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MHLONTLO<\/strong> – The Eastern Cape Department of Education has launched an investigation following the death of a learner who drowned in an unfinished pit toilet at the Khulangolwazi Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Mhlontlo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department identified the child as Ungentanto Yena who died last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education MEC Fundile Gade said the department had activated psychosocial support services for the learner’s family and the ECD centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Since our learner died in this facility, we commit to investigate the circumstances that led to the death,” said Gade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department said Khulangolwazi ECD Centre is a newly established programme operating under Bronze registration status as part of the ECD Mass Registration pathway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bronze status indicates that a facility has been identified and is receiving support to address outstanding registration requirements while progressing towards full registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the department, the centre is receiving support to meet registration, health, safety and infrastructure requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While facilities on the registration pathway may receive operational funding, the department expressed that Bronze status does not constitute full registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gade conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, the centre and the wider community and confirmed that a departmental team would visit the facility next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As the sector, we send our heartfelt condolences to the family, the centre and its community. Next week we will dispatch a team to the facility to start the investigation. Our department will cooperate with any law enforcement agencies conducting investigations on the matter,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department added that the circumstances surrounding the learner’s death remain the subject of investigation and cautioned against drawing conclusions before the completion of investigative and law-enforcement processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Boy (3) drowns in pit toilet<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has launched an investigation following the death of a learner who drowned in an unfinished pit 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drowns in pit toilet: Investigation launched | PE Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Eastern Cape Department of Education is investigating the death of a child who drowned in an unfinished pit toilet at an ECD Centre.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/probe-launched-after-child-drowns-in-pit-toilet-at-eastern-cape-ecd-centre\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Probe launched after child drowns in pit toilet at Eastern Cape ECD Centre\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Eastern Cape Department of Education is investigating the death of a child who drowned in an unfinished pit toilet at an ECD Centre.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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