Playtime for young boys ends in tragedy
A mother's worst nightmare came true when her five-year-old son drowned in the Sand River along Buys Street in Westenburg
POLOKWANE – A mother’s worst nightmare came true when her five-year-old son drowned in the Sand River along Buys Street in Westenburg on Saturday morning.
It is alleged that Allan Nyengerai was playing with three other boys at the river when he was pushed into the water by one of his friends.
One of the boys ran home to get help and the search for Allan began.
While waiting for the police divers, five men from the neighbourhood dived into the water to search for the boy, but could not find him.
“My child is in the water; save him, please save him,” sobbed Memory Mugauri as she watched residents search for her son.
WO Eddie Viviers, an off-duty police diver, found the boy’s body. Allan’s shoes were lying on the side of the river not far from where his body was found. The estimated depth of the water where Allan’s body was found is 2,5 m.
He was certified dead by paramedics on the scene.
Assistance for the family
His mother also received treatment for shock. “I can’t believe my son is dead. He is supposed to start Gr R at Good Hope Primary School on Monday. Allan never plays far from home, this is the first time he came to the river. I just want my son back,” Mugauri said.
Joosuf Pemma, a member of the municipal community safety committee, arranged trauma counselling for the family.
A case of drowning is being investigated by the Westenburg police.
