Gauteng acting MEC for Education, Jacob Mamabolo has confirmed the death of a 59-year-old IsiXhosa marker who passed away on Thursday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of one of our markers,” said Mamabolo.
The marker was found unconscious on Tuesday by the centre manager at Jeppe Boys marking venue. This comes after noticing the marker had not reported for duty as expected.
MEC Mamabolo said the marker had tested positive for Covid-19 before dying. “The marker, who tested positive for COVID-19, was admitted to hospital but, unfortunately, died today,” said Mamabolo. The department has offered psycho-social support to all those affected by the matter. “Some officials have been deployed to accompany the family to the hospital and provide necessary support and assistance that may be required,” said Mamabolo.
MEC Mamabolo said markers who were in contact with the deceased were tested on Tuesday. “Accordingly, the group of markers who were in contact with the marker were released from the marking venue. The marking centre was immediately defogged and sanitized,” he said.
Gauteng has 30 marking centres which have been operating since the start of the matric examinations marking period on 4 January 2021. The department has implemented strict COVID-19 protocols, including reducing the numbers of markers per class, and have employed assistants at all the centres to ensure that the markers adhere to the regulations.
Mamabolo has called on all markers to continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols. “We would like to thank our markers for continuing to do a sterling job under these challenging times. We call on everyone to continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols aimed at reducing the spread of this deadly virus by regularly washing hands, sanitizing, and maintaining social distance,” said MEC Mamabolo.
