Family points finger at Sol after boy drowns
THE FAMILY of 11-year-old Onkarabetse Thole, who drowned in a stormwater canal between Gogga pump station and Riemvasmaak in Galeshewe, intends to take legal action against Sol Plaatje Municipality.
The boy’s father, Thapelo Thole, stated that he had also reported the matter to the SA Human Rights Commission for investigation.
“The municipality was negligent as it should have attended to the massive water leaks at Gogga pump station years ago. It poses a drowning hazard for children as the area has not been cordoned off,” said Thapelo.
The Galeshewe police have opened an inquest into Onkarabetse’s death after police divers recovered his body after he went swimming in the stormwater canal on Sunday.
Thapelo explained that his son went with his older brother, Mosimanegape Mocholo, and a group of friends to gather wood on Sunday, at around 1pm.
“They stay near the stormwater canal. It is believed that Onkarabetse saw the water and decided to take a dip as he was getting hot,” said Thapelo.
“He jumped into the hole where the water was coming out. The current was strong and it swept him into the middle of the dam.
“Mosimanegape jumped into the water in an attempt to help him but Onkarabetse pushed him away because he didn't want his brother to land up in the same predicament.”
Thapelo added that upon returning to the scene after running to find help, Mosimanegape found Onkarabetse submerged under the water.
“I was out of town for work-related purposes at the time of the incident and I was informed at around 5.21pm that he went missing. The police search and rescue unit retrieved his body late on September 11.”
Thapelo believed that the death of his son could have been prevented.
“There are no danger signs to warn the community of how deep the water is and it is easy to misjudge the depth. Children will be children and my son will not be the only child to jump into the water.
“It cannot be correct for the municipality to leave the water-filled hole open. The canal was dug in the field to divert the water. Our children are falling into these dams.
“This is a crisis for the community as it is difficult to prevent children from playing next to open holes. How many more lives must be lost before any action is taken?”
He said that Onkarabetse had two older brothers and two younger sisters.
Meanwhile, SA Liberated Public Sector Workers Union (Salipswu) Northern Cape chairperson ME Siro this week extended condolences to Thapelo as a founder member and provincial organiser of Salipswu.
“The provincial leadership is deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of Thapelo’s son following his drowning after falling into a hole that was dug by the municipality. Losing a child is the most heart-wrenching tragedy a parent can go through and leaves a void that cannot be filled,” said Siro.
He urged for action to be taken against Sol Plaatje Municipality.
“No parent deserves to go through what the family is going through at this point, to see their child's life ended abruptly in the prime of his youth. The pain is too unbearable to contemplate.
“We call on law enforcement agencies to ensure that Sol Plaatje Municipality faces the full might of the law
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this dark period.”
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said the local authority had intended to work on the 965mm line behind Gogga pump station when the water supply was interrupted last weekend.
“We were supposed to fix that leak but decided against it due to the amount of water, as it would have delayed the process of restoring the water supply on time. We will, however, fix the leak during our next planned water interruption,” said Riet.
“As a municipality, we want to send our condolences to the family on their loss.”
Riet added that the next planned water interruption would take place from October 6-10 to repair major leaks, including the leaks on the R31 and N12 roads.
The spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, indicated that Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni would assist with the costs of the funeral, which be held on Saturday.
“The mayor is extremely concerned about this matter and will ensure that this problem is fixed during the next water shutdown that will address serious leakages in the city,” said Musunse.
