Johannesburg Water has confirmed that a 10-year-old boy drowned at its contractor site in Soweto on Sunday.
The utility's spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the boy, Tshepo Moloi, drowned in Mofolo.
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"There is a pool of groundwater at the shaft (Manhole MH90) where the child drowned. A case has been opened at the Moroka Police Station. The incident was reported to the Department of Employment and Labour, which will conduct an independent investigation," said Shabalala.
A team from Johannesburg Water as well as the City of Johannesburg's Environment and Infrastructure Services MMC Jack Sekwaila visited the site and the boy's family on Monday.
It’s a sad today as we visited the site and family of a child who drowned yesterday in Soweto while playing with others. With me is the Ward Councillor, Region D Regional Director and @CityofJoburgZA @JoburgWater leadership. pic.twitter.com/QncKnL6HiR
— Cllr Jack Sekwaila (@JackSekwaila) August 28, 2023
Shabalala said: "Johannesburg Water offers its deepest condolences to the Moloi family on the untimely passing of their loved one."
An internal Johannesburg Water investigation is under way to establish the facts around the boy's death.