TimesLIVE reports that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) advised on Saturday that six matric markers had died of Covid-related complications, while 308 had tested positive at marking centres and had been sent home.  

However, in a statement on Monday afternoon, the Gauteng DBE department said that a second marker had died in the province, taking the national total to seven.  The DBE informed teacher unions at a meeting on Saturday that three of those who died were from KwaZulu-Natal and one each from Gauteng, Limpopo and a DBE marking centre.  This did not include the second Gauteng death.  Of the 45,388 markers who were expected to mark, 2,460 withdrew for a variety of reasons, including fear of contracting the virus and family members being infected.  The DBE said 1,736 replacement markers took over after the withdrawals.  Ben Machipi of the Professional Educators Union (PEU) said the markers died in the line of duty serving the nation:  “We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the markers. The unions playing an oversight role, with the department, at marking centres have done almost everything that is humanly possible to make sure the marking centres are safe.”  Up until Sunday, 79% of the marking had been completed.  The deadline for completion of the marking is 22 January.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE
• Read too, Second matric marker dies due to coronavirus in Gauteng, at News24

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