The distraught father of the child, said he did not want to talk to the media.

I don’t want to speak to you or anyone about this, especially as I’ve just also lost my cousin in an accident. This is painful, I can’t handle it,  said Thavhaha.

William Ntladi, spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, said they abandoned the search on Saturday for safety purposes as it was getting dark.

Ntladi explained that a pair of sandals was found on the scene but it was uncertain whether they belonged to the deceased or someone else. Communication officer at the Vosloorus Police Station, Capt Piet Roussouw, warned the public about the accident scene.

That place is very dangerous. I would like to warn parents not to allow their children to go and play there. Beside the drowning of the young boy, there were previously reported cases of robbery and assault there. People must stay away,  said Roussouw.