These are the words of grief-stricken mother Claudia Koch as she tries desperately to come to terms with the death of her only child, six-year-old daughter Chené Pretorius.
Chené died on April 20 (GCN, May 1) after the sliding gate at Slimkoppe Aftercare Centre in Sunnyridge fell on her.
The lively Laerskool Oosterkruin Grade One pupil was a ray of sunshine in her parents, Claudia and Carl Pretorius’ lives.
Now her parents are left searching for answers as to exactly what happened that day.
“We have heard so many different stories, we don’t know what to believe,” Carl said.
Claudia added that if the school would just come forward and tell them the truth as to what had happened that day they would at least be able to get some sort of closure.
Even though Carl visited the aftercare centre to speak to the principal, Chené’s parents are still no closer to finding any answers.
“When I got there, I noticed two young girls playing near the gate, and there were no teachers around to supervise them.
“I had to go inside to find teachers.” Carl said.
“When we enrolled her in the aftercare centre at the beginning of the year, things seemed fine.
“She always came home with her homework done and we hadn’t experienced any problems.”
