The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is in the process of appointing an independent investigative law firm to probe the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a five-year-old Grade R learner at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, Johannesburg.

The learner, Manwoba Mnisi, reportedly sustained injuries on the school premises on Monday, 2 February 2026. According to information at the department’s disposal, the learner was taken to hospital after the incident but sadly passed away later that day.

Relatives of the young boy have since reached out to the media, seeking support and transparency as they pursue answers about what happened. Family members on Thursday morning went to the school demanding clarity and justice following the child’s death, raising concerns about the sequence of events that led to him being hospitalised. The family cried foul after the school failed to communicate the incident timeously. The family was contacted by a person who remained anonymous to probe the matter.

The department said the purpose of the independent investigation is to establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is expected to formally introduce the appointed law firm to both the Mnisi family and the school on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, once the appointment process has been finalised.

Chiloane will also visit the bereaved family at their home in Soweto on Friday morning to convey his condolences in person.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to the learner’s family, the school, and the community during this extremely difficult time,” said Chiloane.

The department said appointing an independent law firm is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and impartiality in determining exactly what transpired on the day of the incident. The findings of the investigation are expected to guide any further action that may be required.

The tragedy comes amid a turbulent week for the department, which also faced widespread disruptions linked to scholar transport services.

Throughout the week, protests and disruptions erupted at a number of township schools. Learners demonstrated in solidarity with fellow learners who were unable to attend school because scholar transport buses had not been operating. Service providers had reportedly halted operations after the department fell behind on payments.

The development confirmed that it has now paid scholar transport service providers and that all affected scholar transport operations are expected to resume fully on Monday, 16 February 2026.

The department apologised to learners and parents for the inconvenience caused by the recent disruptions and acknowledged the impact the transport challenges had on teaching and learning.

It said comprehensive catch-up programmes are being implemented to minimise the loss of instructional time and to support learners who missed classes due to the bus suspensions.

“We urge all stakeholders to always prioritise engagements and avoid disruptions at all costs, as such disruptions have a negative impact on the wellbeing of learners and the broader community. Learning and teaching must remain a priority regardless of any impasse,” Chiloane said.

As the Mnisi family prepares to lay their young son to rest, the focus now turns to the independent investigation, which is expected to provide much-needed answers to grieving relatives and a shaken school community. Meanwhile, the department faces the dual challenge of restoring stability in schools and ensuring that both learner safety and access to education remain uncompromised.