A family in KwaMaphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal, is in mourning after two of their children, Semseni Mthiyane (9) and Ntando Nhlangulela (13), drowned in a dam on Tuesday. The two children were found clinging to each other in the dam, located in the Mvutshane area. According to family spokesperson, Richard Mthiyane, the children had left home to play and were joined by two other children from the area, before heading to the dam.
The family received news of the incident from a community member who had witnessed the children approaching the dam. The community member had alerted the authorities, who arrived at the scene to find the children had already drowned. Mthiyane expressed concern that there were no safety measures in place to prevent children from accessing the dam, despite the presence of guards.
Mthiyane stated that the family had raised concerns about the safety of the dam in the past, particularly after a family of seven drowned in the same dam in 2017. He noted that although guardrails had been installed, they were not sufficient to prevent children from accessing the dam. The family is planning to meet with the uMngeni Water authorities to discuss possible solutions to prevent future incidents.
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with local councillor, Mkhanyiseni Ntanzi, expressing his condolences to the family and urging parents to work with dam authorities to ensure children's safety. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal police, confirmed that two dockets had been opened in connection with the incident.
The family described the scene where the children's bodies were recovered, with Mthiyane stating that the children appeared to have sunk to the bottom of the dam with their heads trapped in a shallow area. He expressed frustration that despite the presence of guards, children were still able to access the dam and engage in activities such as swimming and fishing.
The community is still reeling from the incident, with many calling for improved safety measures at the dam. The family of the two children is yet to meet with the authorities to discuss the incident and possible solutions to prevent future tragedies.
Key issues have been raised regarding the safety and security around the dam, including the need for improved fencing and surveillance. The family and community are demanding action from the authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The family of the two children who drowned in the KwaMaphumulo dam is raising concerns over safety measures at the dam.
- The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with many calling for improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
- The authorities have confirmed that two dockets have been opened in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway.
