The drowning of a 14-year-old boy in a quarry of sullied water in Meloding, Virginia, has left the community shocked to its core.
On Sunday, 24 November, members of the Meloding police were informed of a boy who was in trouble at the quarry, which is situated in an open space near the Meloding Graveyard.
The friends of the child told the police that a group of boys had been swimming in the quarry when one of them drowned.
The police’s diving unit was summoned to the scene, but it was a health risk because of the sewage in the quarry, says Lt. Col. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson for the Lejweleputswa police.
Employees of the Matjhabeng Municipality were deployed to drain the sewage. The body of the deceased was found stuck in the mud of the quarry.
Thakeng says the body was retrieved at 17:30 and brought beside the quarry, where the boy was certified dead by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. A case of inquest was registered for further investigation.
The deceased was identified as Pule Lithebe by his father, Lefu Semenyane, residing at Zone 13, Meloding.
“Children are sternly warned to, during these school holidays, not swim in quarries full of water or sewage, as it is a health risk and they could drown. Parents must know the whereabouts of their children,” says Thakeng.
Tshediso Tlali, spokesperson for the Matjhabeng Municipality, says the accident is deeply regretted.
“Since Sunday, the acting executive mayor, Cllr. Hlobohang Mokhomo, and Matjhabeng municipal officials have been in contact with the bereaved family to offer condolences and support,” says Tlali.
On Monday, Mokhomo visited the family and directed mayoral committee members (MMCs) and the ward councillor to work closely with them.
“Our teams are already closing the pit where the incident occurred, and an investigation is underway to identify the contractor responsible for the unauthorised excavation.
“The executive mayor has also instructed the Community Services Department to refurbish and reopen swimming pools and address hazardous areas to enhance safety,” says Tlali.
“We urge parents to supervise their children during the holidays and caution against swimming in unsafe areas.
“The municipality remains committed to ensuring community safety and preventing such incidents,” he says.
