WHEN the municipality came to fix the Ncobos’ blocked sewage pipe they were happy they would no longer have to live with the terrible smell.
But their joy turned to despair when their son drowned after the workers left an open hole unattended.
Mthuthuzeli Ncobo (38) said his 15-year-old nephew, Siyabonga, was with his two-year-old brother Kwanele at the family home in Tsakane in Kagiso, Mogale City last Wednesday when the workers arrived to fix the blocked pipe.
“We told them not to leave the hole unattended because there were small children in the yard,” he said.
“One of the workers was monitoring the hole, but he left when their generator was brought to the house.”
Mthuthuzeli said Kwanele went missing, and while the family was looking for him Siyabonga came running to say he had found his little brother in sewage water in the back yard.
“We found the child and washed the sewage off him. His stomach was ballooned as he had swallowed a lot of water.
“We rushed him to Leratong Hospital, but he was declared dead soon after arrival,” said Mthuthuzeli.
Kwanele’s grandfather, Donald, said the boy was happy and playful. He celebrated his birthday three weeks ago.
“It is painful to know he is no more. We are torn apart by his death. We believe that the people who came to fix the pipe should have done more to prevent this tragedy.”
Police spokesman Captain Solomon Sibiya said an inquest docket had been opened.
Municipal spokesman Nkosana Zali said: “We have sent Councillor Mathapelo Agondo to convey our condolences to the family. We have launched an internal inquiry to get to the bottom of the matter.”
