Heartbreaking incident: Toddler drowns in flooded stream in White River, Mpumalanga
A two-year-old toddler drowned in a stream near his home in White River, Mpumalanga.
Image: File
A two-year-old boy drowned on Tuesday as he tried to cross a flooded stream near his home in White River, Mpumalanga.
According to information from the South Africa Police Service, the boy, Sibusiso Mnisi, drowned in a stream at Msholozi C on January 13, after following his mother out of their home unnoticed.
The family lives near the stream. According to an account given to police by the child’s mother, Thapiseng Mnisi, the toddler had been asleep inside the house when she left to cross the stream. Unbeknown to her, the child followed her outside.
“It is alleged that the boy attempted to cross the stream on his own but was swept away by the strong current and drowned,” the SAPS said.
All relevant stakeholders were summoned to the scene, where emergency medical personnel later certified the child dead.
“A case of inquest has been opened for further investigation,” police confirmed.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his condolences to the family and warned communities of the dangers posed by the ongoing wet weather.
He urged residents to “exercise extreme caution, particularly during the current wet weather conditions, as streams, rivers, and dams are overflowing and pose serious danger.”
Police have again appealed to parents and caregivers to remain vigilant around water sources as investigations continue.