UPDATE: Boy drowns in open trench in Giyani
It’s not the first time, a child died as a result of abandoned water project in Mopani.
The community of Homu 14B in Giyani is reeling in shock following the death of a six year-old boy who fell into a trench left open at an abandoned construction site.
The boy fell into a trench and drowned while playing with friends on Sunday.
According to the Mopani District Municipality spokesperson, Witness Tiva, the trench was left open by the contractor who abandoned work on the multi-million rand Giyani Bulk Water Project. The Group Chief Executive Officer of Khato Civils, Mongezi Mnyani confirmed that his construction company pulled out of site in September 2018 due to nonpayment by the Lepelle Northern Water which is the implementing agent of the Department of Water and Sanitation. Mnyani said they dispatched their team to investigate what happened, with the help of the affected community.
“Our team is also working round the clock in conjunction with Mopani District Municipality to find out what happened and prevent a recurrence of the similar incident in future,” said Mnyani. He said Khato Civils will be readily available and will fully cooperate with the authorities in investigating circumstances that led to this regrettable tragic event.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Mhlongo family for this untimely loss of their son and we will provide all the necessary support to the family,” added Mnyani.
Meanwhile, the Mopani District Municipality, Executive Mayor, Nkakareng Rakgoale visited the family on Monday. Rakgoale said various spheres of government will work jointly to assist the family with funeral arrangements and also to give necessary support to the family. She said the Lepelle Northern Water will start closing all trenches that were left open by a contractor in the area to prevent the recurrence of incidents of that nature in future.
It’s not the first time, a child died as a result of abandoned water project in Mopani, an 18 month toddler, Mighty Baloyi fell into a borehole pit and died at Jopi village in Nwamitwa on November 3, last year.
The Democratic Alliance is threatening to lay charges of culpable homicide against the MEC for Cooperate Governance, Jerry Ndou and the former Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, following the tragic death. The DA leader in the province, Jacques Smalle believes that the incident is not an isolated matter as the uncaring ANC government continues to prove that they are neglecting the safety of residents.
