Boy’s death sparks outrage
An autopsy has confirmed that a seven-year-old boy drowned in the Victor Penning Bird Sanctuary, in Cloverdene.
The body of Mthokozisi Mahlangu was found in the sanctuary on Sunday, August 4, after he was reported missing to the Crystal Park SAPS on Thursday, August 1.
“A woman was walking next to the Victor Penning Bird Sanctuary when she spotted something that looked like a person lying in the grass,” said Crystal Park SAPS media liaison officer Tryna Maritz.
“When she walked closer, she saw the body of a child lying next to the dam.”
The boy was wearing only his underwear, with his clothes about 30m from his lifeless body.
The boy lived in Chief Albert Luthuli Park and is believed to have been swimming with friends when the incident occurred.
It is suspected that the child’s friends pulled his body from the water, as it was not submerged, but this has not been confirmed, said Maritz.
The boy’s death has sparked outrage from the chairperson of the Cloverdene Conservancy, Wendy Parente, who says the boy’s death could have been prevented.
Although the Victor Penning Bird Sanctuary does not fall within Parente’s conservancy, she said she has been trying for years to have the dam enclosed with a fence.
‘‘I said years ago the area should be enclosed, not just to prevent crime, but to keep children away from the water,’’ she said.
‘‘I was very concerned for the children’s lives.
‘‘Who takes responsibility for this child’s death now?’’
The environmental officer for Ebotse Golf and Country Estate, Mike Mearns, said the suburbs surrounding the sanctuary will benefit from an enclosure and will provide a safer environment for children.
R3-million was set aside to upgrade the conservancy several years ago by Clr Victor Nesengani.
The money was, instead, used for Chief Albert Luthuli Park, as it was prioritised over the sanctuary.
Clr Gerrie Kriek, whose ward includes the sanctuary, said there are no immediate plans to enclose the area yet, as upgrading of a sewage station near the sanctuary is currently being undertaken.
Kriek said Ebotse Golf and Country Estate and council (including himself) are in the process of erecting an educational centre on the grounds of the sanctuary.
There are also plans to beautify the area.
