A family in Cowdray Park is yet to come to terms with the mysterious death of their nine-year-old son who drowned in an uncovered pit left by sand poachers.
The deceased, a Grade Two pupil at Hyde Park Primary School drowned together with his eight-year-old friend near Masendeke area on January 23.
“My son was playing outside with his friends. The friends came back but our son and our neighbours’ kid did not pitch up. The friends told us they had gone to play in the water at the uncovered pits,” narrated the deceased’s father, Mr Nqobizitha Ndlovu.
A search was conducted around 5 pm by the worried parents when the two boys did not return home.
“We went back home thinking the kids had run away from us because we had previously warned them not to play in the pit
“After a while, seeing that they were not yet home, we went back to search and found nothing, I myself got in the pit to look for them but they were not there,” said Ndlovu.
He said they went back again later that evening to search for the kids and this time around they found their bodies at the bottom of the pit.
“At around 9 pm, we went back to search again, I got in the pit which is 1,7meters deep, only to find their bodies lying underneath, with bleeding scars all over the body”.
The police were called to the scene and conducted investigations.
Ndlovu`s son was laid to rest on January 26 at Luveve cemetery.
“I am disappointed by the police because they only came and took a statement but never came back again. I don’t even know the progress of the case,” said Ndlovu.
He said he suspected foul play because the bodies were found underneath the pit, which is unusual because a lifeless body must float on top of the water.
Contacted for comment Ward 28 caretaker Councillor Febbie Msipha said she will look at the service delivery issues affecting the ward.
“I am touched by the sad incident and I will engage with the engineering department to fill up the pits. I raised the issued at the full council and hope action will be taken swiftly,” she said.
Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident, saying police are still investigating the case.
