Gauteng Education MEC shocked by spate of suicides

JOHANNESBURG - Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he's shocked by a spate of suicides at a Gauteng school.

Four pupils at the Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park took their own lives over a span of 10 days.

The first incident took place on 26 April when a Grade 10 girl took her own life.

She was followed by another Grade 10 girl who was found dead at home last Thursday.

On Friday, a Grade 11 boy died in hospital and on Sunday a Grade 12 girl died on the way to a clinic.

All the pupils had allegedly consumed poison before their deaths.

Chiloane says the Psycho-Social Support Unit has been dispatched to support the school and community.