The 18-month-old Emandleni informal settlement girl was being cared for by a neighbour at the time of the incident.
Police spokesman Capt Mack Mngomezulu said the child’s mother was at work.
“The open pit is used by the family to drain used water,” said Mngomezulu.
He said the woman noticed something that looked like a floating Pampers in the pit, but a closer look revealed that it was the child.
An inquest docket has been opened and police are investigating.
In a separate incident, in Tamboville, on August 6, another child died while being cared for by a neighbour.
Mngomezulu said the child died in her sleep and the cause is not yet known.
“We have opened and inquest docket and are investigating,” he added.
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