Tragedy struck two families from the informal settlement of Itireleng (adjacent to Laudium), this past Saturday (Sept 12).
This follows a group of about six young boys from Itireleng, believed to be between 9 and 11, who decided to have a swim at the nearby PPC Cement Quarry dam, this past Saturday afternoon (Sept 12) at around 12:30pm. The dam, in a mining area which is not suitable for swimming purposes, was apparently left unguarded and it is while the group of kids were playing in the dam water, that tragedy struck, resulting in two kids, Musawenkosi and Neo drowning.
According to a resident from Itireleng, the two kids who were playing in the dam suddenly ‘got pulled in,’ but as the kids who could not swim, started screaming for help, it was only then that their friends realised that the pair was facing danger. However none of the friends could swim, thus help could not be offered and there were no adults or security around who could assist, resulting in their bodies disappearing into the water within seconds. This is not the first time that children from Itireleng have met a tragic death, with previous deaths reported of electrocution, road accidents, fire and even through violence.
Mathapelo Njunjua, a local resident from the Itireleng Squatter Camp, told the Laudium Sun, “We are still grieving for the two young children from Itireleng who sadly passed away at the PPC Cement factory dam. According to what I have heard, the two children went with about six friends and entered the nearby mining area which was not properly cordoned off going into the settlement dam to swim, which is located at the PPC Cement premises. Two of the children were unable to swim and drowned. It is a great loss for our community and we are really sad about this tragic incident. I feel for the two families who lost their children because I can only imagine the pain their parents are going through at this time. Losing a child is something no parent should have to experience. I pray that God gives strength to the parents and their families during this very difficult time. This incident has affected many people in Itireleng because these were young children with their whole lives ahead of them. When I hear that young children have lost their lives in such circumstances, it makes me very sad because children should be able to grow up, go to school, spend time with their friends and have a future ahead of them. I also feel that this incident should remind everyone about the dangers of entering the restricted mining area nearby and even swimming in dam where there are serious risks. Sometimes children may not fully understand how dangerous these places can be, especially when they are together with friends. I believe parents and the community need to continue speaking to children about staying away from dangerous areas and listening to warnings. At the same time, I think there must be greater awareness made by the mine and more security together with guards should be in place to make sure
that restricted people are unable to enter the area, especially children who are innocent and do not understand the consequences of their actions. My heart goes out to the families who are mourning. I know that no words can take away their pain, but I hope they receive support from relatives, friends, neighbours and the wider Itireleng community. We must stand together and support them during this difficult period. For me, this is more than just an incident. It is a heart-breaking loss of two young lives and the community will remember these children. I pray that God gives their parents, relatives and friends the strength to get through this difficult time. We are unfortunately losing too many of our kids through tragic incidents and something should be done to make sure that our kids do not fall in this kind tragedy again.”
for the two families who lost their children
because I can only imagine the pain their
parents are going through at this time.”
Shafiek Petersen of Bengal Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The news of the tragic death of the two youngsters is really heart-breaking. Recently, there have been many tragic incidents and there does not seem to be any more good news. If it is not crime then it is school children being killed in motor accidents and now even drowning. Whenever I hear that young people have lost their lives, it affects me because these are children who should have had many more years ahead of them. It is very difficult for any family to receive news like this and I feel deeply for the parents and relatives who are now having to deal with such a painful loss. For me, this incident is also a reminder that children can sometimes find themselves in places without fully understanding the risks involved. When young people are together, they may encourage one another to do things that they would perhaps not do on their own. That is why I believe parents should have conversations with their children about staying away from places that could put them in danger. I also think the community must take these incidents seriously and use them as an opportunity to create greater awareness among young people. We need to talk to our children, listen to them and make sure they understand that their safety must always come first. It is not about controlling them; it is about protecting them and helping them understand the consequences of risky decisions.”
“Whenever I hear that young people have lost their lives, it affects me because these are
children who should have had many more years
ahead of them.”
Cllr Prajay Ramjee told the Laudium Sun that he visited the 2 grieving families in Itireleng on Tuesday, adding, “I sat with both family members in their shacks and heard their stories, offered support and a contribution to their expenses. While I shared their grief, I left feeling so grateful that my friend Rebecca from Itireleng had afforded me this opportunity to visit the families, who appreciated my visit to them. Rest in peace, Musawenkosi and Neo.”
