THE kids were having fun, splashing in puddles caused by the rain.
Five-year-old Sandile Nkosi from Mashishing in Mpumalanga was going through the bushes when he spotted another puddle and jumped into it. But it was a five-metre-deep ditch full of rainwater. Sandile sank under the water and drowned.
Gogo Louisa Mnisi-Mabuza (70) said a neighbour called her to say that Sandile had drowned. “There was no river. Everyone uses the bush and none of us knew big holes had been dug. The kids thought it was just a puddle, but stood there seeing Sandile sinking.”
Louisa holds the construction company responsible.
She said kids would not go there if there were barricades around it.
Resident Thami Mabuza said the construction company began digging up the bush a week ago for sewerage pipes but did not put up any barricades.
“They put up the barricades on Sunday, after Sandile died. They knew residents cut through the bush. Why did they not put the barricades up earlier?”
Contractor Koni Kruger said they were busy with investigations and would issue a report later. He said they had contacted the family.
Municipal spokesman Puleng Mapheto said ditches were not left without barricades and the contractor hired a security company to prevent more tragedy. “We found safety boards on the side, and according to safety standards all measures were in place. The labour department was also involved. Mayor Selina Mashego-Sekgobela, the MMC and the contractor visited the family and the municipality arranged counselling. We convey our deepest condolences to the family.” He said the contractor would help with the funeral.