Two and a half year old Releboheli Kgabu was playing with his sister and other children on some grass between the informal houses when he slipped and fell into the dark hole. He apparently did not see the hole as it was covered under long grass.
The boy’s body was recovered by the Mossel Bay Fire Department, with the help of passerby Solly Mabadla, who managed to climb into the small drain hole.
Releboheli's hysterical mother, who was visiting a friend at the time, lay on the ground close to the hole, crying as her son's body was recovered.
Afterwards, the drain was emptied and the hole sealed by the Mossel Bay Municipality.
The mother was in such a state that police officers had to remove her from the scene. According to sources, the mother was taken to the Mossel Bay Hospital and treated for shock. It is understood that she then suffered a stroke shortly afterwards. It is unknown whether she is still in hospital.
Elsa Witbooi, a teacher at the Siphipiwe Crèche, situated approximately 20 meters from where the hole was, says they were not aware of the hole as it was totally overgrown by grass.
According to a legal spokesperson for the Mossel Bay Municipality, people were housed on the property some 19 years ago during the construction phase of the PetroSA plant. The ablution facilities then used drained into septic tanks. The septic tanks were, however, never used by the municipality and are located in an open area.
"This area is not frequently visited as there is no municipal services offered close by".
It is presumed that the lid was stolen. "The access hole for the septic tank was in long grass and not at all visible".
A resident who wants to remain anonymous, says: "There are families living here. If the lid was stolen, the hole was left open for many months as tall grass has grown over it".
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ARTICLE: LOUISE POSTHUMA-KARSTEN
