A grade 12 learner at the David Makhubo High School in Kaalfontein outside Midrand died after collapsing inside the school yard on Thursday. On the same day, the school was holding a memorial service for another learner who died from an illness over a week ago. As if the incident was not shocking enough, some community members allegedly stormed the school premises after learning of the learner's passing the next day and looted school resources including feeding scheme food.

The Department of Education in Gauteng confirmed the incident. MEC Matome Chiloane said that the incident happened during a memorial service organised for a Grade 10 boy learner who had passed away from illness on 2 May 2024. "A Grade 12 boy learner collapsed while in the schoolyard and educators were promptly alerted by learners of this incident, and emergency services were called, and the learner's parents were informed," Chiloane said. He added that out of a need to maintain calm, the incident was not immediately disclosed to those at the memorial service to prevent panic. "Regrettably, the learner did not survive, and this news was disclosed at an assembly on Friday, 10 May 2024. Before the announcement could be made, some learners, overwhelmed by the unfolding events, experienced fainting spells. This incident has been captured in videos that have since gone viral on social media platforms," he added.

According to Chiloane, chaos erupted at school on Friday when some learners who had fainted were being driven out of school and community members entered the school premises. "Unfortunate acts of looting of school resources, including food supplies from the National School Nutrition Programme. Circuit management was on site on Thursday to oversee the handling of the situation post-collapse, and on Friday, during the assembly and subsequent disruptions,". The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the learner and Chiloane said that the department is making efforts to understand the sequence of events that led to the incident. "We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved families following these tragic incidents. Currently, our priority is to provide all necessary support to the learners, staff, and families impacted by these tragedies. Counseling services and other forms of support are being extended to assist the school community during this incredibly difficult time," said MEC Chiloane.