Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Tandi Mahambehlala on Thursday visited the family of a toddler who had drowned in a flooded part of Mfuleni’s Covid-19 informal settlement.
Sinoxolo Seti would have turned 2 next month.
The child’s mother, Ntombi Seti, says she was about to give him a haircut on Thursday August 22, at around 4pm, when she was distracted by a request from a neighbour.
Her son had been missing upon her return, she said.
“I looked for him. I went into the nearby bushes shouting his name and there was no response.”
She had continued searching for three hours until her son’s lifeless body had been found in a water-logged part of the settlement, less than 50 metres from their home, she said.
“After reporting the incident to the committee members, we returned to my area with the intention of calling him on the megaphone. However, one of my neighbours informed me that a child had been discovered.”
She said she had run to the scene and found that her son had drowned.
Phelokazi Seti, Sinoxolo’s aunt, said the family was devastated following her nephew’s death. She said family members had rushed to the scene where the toddler’s body had already been removed from the water and covered with a blanket.
Ms Mahambehlala, who was accompanied by Humile Mashatile, the wife of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, expressed her condolences to the family on behalf of her department.
“We also came because we heard that there are difficulties in burying the child, so we are also here to hear from the family what are the possible interventions that we can make in that regard as individuals, not as the department.”
Ms Mahambehlala said there was a need for an investigation to see how those who had occupied the wetland could be moved, and she suggested building a canal to divert the water.
Ali Sablay, from the Gift of the Givers aid organisation, said they had been helping the community after it was hard hit by stormy weather in July.
“We got a call from community members informing us that a one-year-old child had passed on. Gift of the Givers immediately made contact with relevant authorities. Through good Samaritans, there are community members who want to contribute towards the funeral of the child,” he said, adding that the organisation would also arrange counselling for the family.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says Mfuleni police have registered an inquest for investigation. He said the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and the post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
