The drama of Mezzouna, which cost the life of three students following the collapse of a wall in a secondary high school, now takes a judicial turn. The prosecution of the Sidi Bouzid first instance court announced, by the voice of his spokesperson, Jawhar Gabsi, the official opening of an investigation for manslaughter.
Invited on Jawhara FM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Jawhar Gabsi said that the objective of this survey is to determine the exact responsibilities in this drama which has deeply shocked Tunisian public opinion.
“Managers will be prosecuted for manslaughter, but also for involuntary injuries caused by negligence, imprudence, or non-compliance with regulations,” he said.
An instruction capable of evolving towards more serious qualifications
According to the magistrate, the initial counts are subject to crimes liable to two years in prison, but the investigation could lead to re -qualifications in crimes, especially if serious shortcomings are identified. The latter could then be punished with penalties up to five years of imprisonment or more.
“The current instruction will not only identify the facts, but also to designate those responsible at each level: administrative, technical or decision -making,” added Gabsi.
A revealing drama of a systemic dysfunction
This drama, which occurred in a dilapidated establishment in Mezzouna, raises many questions about the state of school infrastructure in Tunisia. The pressure increases on educational authorities and local authorities, suspected of inaction despite repeated alerts on the degradation of school buildings.
The current investigation will therefore be scrutinized closely, not only to do justice to the victims and their families, but also to bring to light possible flaws in the chain of responsibility, from the local level to the central level.
