Boy’s body found in Blesbokspruit River, Largo

The body of an eight-year-old boy from Kwazenzele informal settlement, who went missing on Sunday while playing with his friends at the Blesbokspruit River in Largo was found on Monday afternoon.

According to Springs SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, it is alleged that the boy and his three friends were playing at the river bank when he slipped into the river.

“The friends tried to rescue him, but unfortunately he was too far in. The boy’s friends then ran back home and did not tell anyone about what had happened,” said Tshabalala.

Tshabalala says the boy’s mother, who had last seen him leaving with his friends on the morning of September 16, informed the police that she assumed her son was with his cousin when he failed to return home that evening.

“A family member went to the boy’s school on Monday to inquire if the boy was there, however, they only learned then from the friends that he disappeared in the river the previous day,” he said.

Tshabalala added that the family went to search for the boy at the river and informed the police when they were unable to locate him.

Upon further searching, the SAPS Water Wing and dog unit discovered his body close to the river bank where he had drowned.

An inquest docket has been opened.

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