WHEN it’s hot, these boys go for a dip in the local stream.
However, they are swimming in kak as sewage from broken manholes is pouring into the water!
Boys as young as six swim in the stream that runs through Evaton in the Vaal, risking drowning and disease.
Several manholes along the stream were broken by Emfuleni Municipality workers in September 2021 during the search of a five-year-old who fell into a manhole in Orange Farm. The boy’s body was found after five days.
One of the boys told Daily Sun that when the heatwave hits, they have no choice but to swim in the stream. He said he wished the area had a swimming pool.
“Some of us are good at swimming and have dreams of becoming professional swimmers one day,” he said.
Ditaba Mokubung, who lives near the stream, said kids in the area were not as lucky as their peers in Sebokeng, who had access to a pool at the Soul Tsotetsi Sports Complex.
Ditaba said residents chased the boys away but they always returned. He said the situation was worrying because the kids could get sick or drown.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Ndade Mokoena said his office was aware of the matter and would speak to local community patrollers to keep an eye on the stream to avoid fatalities.
