JOHANNESBURG - What happened to little Manqoba Mnisi?
The five-year-old’s life was cut short inside a place meant to nurture and protect him -- his classroom at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville, Johannesburg.
The tragedy has left his family and the broader community in shock.
An independent investigative law firm has now been appointed to uncover the full circumstances surrounding his death.
Mnisi was injured on Monday, 2 February, allegedly after being left alone in a classroom during a school function. He later died in hospital.
His family insists the school has not been truthful about what happened.
READ: The system fails South African children - community activist on Manqoba Mnisi's death
“We need justice and answers about what happened that day,” his aunt, Phumla Malandisa, said.
In a statement, the Department of Education said the independent investigation will establish the full facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, community activist Curt Van Heerden said Mnisi’s death highlights ongoing failures in protecting South African children.
“We refuse to accept that this is the normal narrative of our communities,” he said.