The collapse claimed the lives of four teenagers and left two dozen others injured, with many still in a critical condition. Members of the South African Teacher’s Union (SAOU) have in a statement called the Department of Education in Gauteng to act swiftly when receiving complaints pertaining to dilapidated school buildings. The Union alleges that Hoerskool Roodepoort is at risk of a similar situation, because the school’s three storey building is unstable with eight classrooms declared non-operational. The union has criticised the Provincial Education Department for failing to act swiftly on concerns raised by the School Governing Body, warning that the building is a “disaster waiting to happen”. On Friday, February 1, the walk-way at Hoerskool Driehook collapsed on learners as they were making their way from morning assembly to classrooms. Three students died in the incident that Friday, 17-year-old Roydon Olcker, 13-year-old Jandré Steyn, and 13-year-old Marli Currie. On Sunday, early morning, grade 10 learner, Marnus Nagel became the fourth learner to pass on, following surgery that weekend. The Gauteng Department of Education said the school would be closed for safety reasons until further notice.

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