Call for total school shutdown after KZN pupils succumb to Covid-19
The death of a 12-year-old school girl in Phoenix has reignited family anxiety over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Community members in Phoenix and parents are worried about their children's safety as more KwaZulu-Natal schools register Covid-19 infections.
The #SaveOurKids parents' organisation held a demonstration outside Wembley Primary School on Monday, following the death of pupil Kaitlyn Pillay, over the weekend.
The 12-year-old suffered Covid-19 complications.
Her family believes she contracted the virus at school.
A Ladysmith Grade 4 pupil also succumbed to the disease.
The Organisation's Desiree Govender says many parents are terrified.
"More parents are saying you know what I'd rather have my child sitting at home and being safe than going out there and getting the virus, it's better to lose a Grade than digging a child's grave."
READ: KZN parents urged to keep sick children at home amid Covid spike
"Parents would like the Department of Education to act fast. We the community of Phoenix, want to stop the spread of Covid-19.
"We are asking and pleading to the department pod Education for a total shutdown of our schools especially at this time."
Kaitlyn's mum says her world fell apart when her precious little girl died in her arms on Saturday.
Premier Sihle Zikalala has acknowledged that KwaZulu-Natal's experiencing an increase in cluster cases and schools have emerged as the biggest contributor, with more than 120 reported clusters in school settings.
