Grahamstown police have reported that a five-year-old child almost died after he fell into a ditch that was full of water in Siegefried Street near Fort England Hospital on Sunday.
Grahamstown police have reported that a five-year-old child almost died after he fell into a ditch that was full of water in Siegefried Street near Fort England Hospital on Sunday.
Grahamstown crime intelligence officer, Captain Milanda Coetzer, said, "We received information that there was a child that fell into a large hole filled with water in front of a house in Siegfried Street.
"The child was almost drowned and was saved by a boy who was passing by," said Coetzer.
Mbuyiselo Namba, the child's father, said he was in hospital when the incident happened.
He said he knew the hole and it was right in front of his house gate.
"There was a pipe that was leaking water and which was reported to the municipality on 1 June.
"We told the municipality that the water was coming in to the yard and that they should come and fix it.
"Earlier this month they came, dug up the pipe and fixed it. But now they left the ditch uncovered.
"After the heavy rains of last week the ditch was filled up by water. "On Tuesday 28 July they came to cover it but that was after the incident. "Still they covered it with sand soil and that is not good enough. You can't use sand to cover a ditch," said Namba.
He said according to people who were present when the incident happened, the child was playing and accidentally fell in to the ditch.
An 11-year-old boy, who was nearby, screamed for help and jumped in to the hole to save his child.
"Fortunately the boy was quick enough to save my child and other people also came to rescue the him. Namba said, after hearing the news of what happened, his blood pressure went up and the doctors are having to keep him in hospital until his condition improves.
He said this was not the first time that the municipality had left an open hole in that area.
According to Namba, there was another ditch that was left open by the municipality in that same area but he was not sure if they had now covered it up or not.
Makana municipal spokesperson, Yoliswa Ramokolo, said she would try and get more information on the matter.
"I haven't received any information about that incident but usually, when there is a ditch that is left open, the area is barricaded," said Ramokolo.
