Manhole swallows another toddler in Sebokeng

Tragic Death

The DA is increasingly concerned over the safety of Sebokeng’s children after yet another child fell into a manhole and tragically lost his life.

According to local newspaper reports, four-year-old Mpho Magabi fell into an open manhole near a local playground.

This is the second tragic incident of a toddler dying after falling into an unsecured manhole

In November last year, five-year-old Sibusiso Ndada’s lifeless body was pulled from a manhole almost 24 hours after the incident was reported to local and provincial authorities.

Slow Response Times

To date, neither cooperative governance MEC Jacob Mamabolo nor Emfuleni mayor Greta Hlongwane have properly explained why emergency services failed to respond sooner.

Safety measures in communities play a critical role in ensuring that children are raised in a safe environment. Playgrounds have the specific purpose of allowing children the opportunity to freely express their abilities and grow their motor skills.

To this end the DA will write to MEC Mamabolo and Mayor Hlongwane and demand that urgent attention be paid to open manholes in Sebokeng, and to secure them without delay.

Parents and families should not fear for the lives of children at play.

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]