Enock Mpianzi’s family to sue for R10m after river tragedy

The family of Parktown Boys’ High pupil Enock Mpianzi, who drowned while at a grade 8 orientation camp in January, is suing the education department, the Nyati Bush and River Break lodge where he died, and the school’s principal, Malcolm Williams, for R10m in damages.

This was confirmed by the family’s lawyer, Ian Levitt, yesterday.

“With regard to civil or monetary claims, that will be against the department, the minister, Nyati, the principal and from the civil side.

“The basis of both those civil and criminal claims is negligence,” Levitt said on eNCA.

He also confirmed to TimesLIVE that the lawsuit was going ahead.

Levitt said while they had lodged legal proceedings against the principal, they were considering doing the same against teachers who were present at the camp when Enock died.

“We are also contemplating going against all the educators who were there.

“This isn’t a witch-hunt but it is certainly a call to justice — that whoever was party to the cause of Enock’s death will be held to account,” he said.

The 13-year-old boy died during a river-rafting exercise hours after he and more than 200 new grade 8 pupils had arrived at the camp in Brits, in North West.

It took teachers at the camp 18 hours to realise Enock was no longer among the group.

His lifeless body was found a day later in the Crocodile River, where his and his teammates raft had capsized.

Levitt said the R10m figure was reached after the family consulted forensic psychologists and psychiatrists.

“The figures will change as and when the experts come back with a figure that is relevant to SA law,” he said.

Levitt said the papers had already been served on all the parties involved.