Hambanathi toddler drowns in bucket of water
Residents blame the water crisis, saying that if there was water in the taps no water buckets would need to be left unattended in the yards.
A 32-year-old mother is in mourning after her 20-month-old son drowned in a bucket of water at a Hambanathi crèche last week.
Residents blame the water crisis, saying that if there was water in the taps no water buckets would need to be left unattended in the yards.
Gugu Ncube of the Hambananthi Water Crisis Committee said because of a lack of water tankers, residents end up using any bucket or drum available to store water.
“Unfortunately this has now had a tragic consequence,” said Ncube.
According to the crèche owner, Thobeka Mthembu (30), she left the children in the care of her mother and another employee last Tuesday because she had to attend training.
“The child was a very active boy, so he was following my mother around the yard. She went into the house to prepare food for the children, but when she came out she noticed the boy face-down in a bucket of water.
“She immediately pulled him out and he was rushed to the local clinic, but he was declared dead on arrival,” said Mthembu.
“We are still struggling to understand how he drowned because the bucket was not full and did not tip over. I am heartbroken about what happened.”
The boy’s mother, Ntombizuko Wayithi, said she accepts that her child’s death was a tragic accident but this does not make the pain any less.
She sad she was saddened by the number of rumours circulating, sowing confusion around the tragedy.
“The autopsy report will confirm the cause of death and end all speculation,” said the mother, who must now raise enough money for her family to travel to their home in the Eastern Cape for the funeral.
She added Mthembu had offered to cover the cost of the funeral and transportation of the body, but they needed to pay for their own transport, which she cannot afford.
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