The community of Virginia is devastated by a drowning of a teenager, on Sunday afternoon.
14 – year old Pule Semenyane, drowned in a pan on Sunday, in Meloding, Virginia.
The Acting Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Cllr. Hlobohang Mokhomo, said he is deeply saddened by the tragic incident.
Initial reports indicate that Pule and his friends went swimming in the pan when the incident happened.
His friends immediately reported the matter to the police and his family.
His lifeless body was recovered at approximately 17:20.
This devastating loss has left the entire community in shock and mourning.
Further investigations revealed that the pan was created by contractors extracting sand from the area. These contractors failed to backfill the excavation site, leaving it in a hazardous condition that posed a serious risk to residents, particularly children.
In addition, rainwater and sewage accumulated in the pan over time, making it a health hazard.
Mokhomo has strongly condemned contractors who engage in unsafe practices, including excavating trenches, holes, or similar hazards without municipal authorisation and failing to secure or backfill these sites.
“Such negligent actions endanger the lives of residents, particularly children, and will not be tolerated.
This tragic incident is a reminder of the urgent need for vigilance, accountability, and cooperation among all stakeholders to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”