Granddad devastated after Monde’s death
‘I allowed him to go to the indoor swimming pool’.
SECUNDA – When seven-year-old Monde Modungoa’s grandfather went to the indoor swimming pool at Umuzi Lodge to tell him to get out of the pool and to dress warm, he found the paramedics pulling out the lifeless body of his grandson.
“When I got to the swimming pool, I looked to the left and did not see my grandson, only other children.
“I looked to the right and saw the paramedics,” said Mr Telford Mkutshwa.
“They tried to resuscitate Monde, but it was too late, he was already dead.
Monde drowned on Saturday, 7 March while Kosmos 3-in-1 spectators relaxed around the swimming pool.
Mr Mkutshwa said he was sitting next to the outdoor swimming pool while Monde was swimming there.
“All the children were playing in the swimming pool, but when the weather turned cold, some of the children went to swim in the indoor swimming pool,” said Mr Mkutswha.
“Monde came to me and asked whether he could also go to the indoor swimming pool.
“I allowed him to go to the indoor swimming pool.”
Mr Mkutswha went inside five minutes later and made the terrible discovery that his grandson was dead.
“I do not know what happened, there were so many children playing in the water and the paramedics said they saw him at the bottom of the swimming pool.”
Mr Johan Rosslee, owner of Umuzi Lodge, said it was a very sad incident and expressed his condolences to Zonde’s family.
“The grandfather brought his grandchild to Umuzi Lodge to enjoy the day and have fun, but it ended in tragedy,” said Mr Rosslee.
According to him the lifeguard was on duty, but there were so many children in the swimming pool and they were very loud and excited.
“The lifeguard was telling them to calm down when he saw the boy at the bottom of the pool.”
The indoor swimming pool was closed for the rest of the day.
Mr Garth and Ms Marinda Calitz from Curamus Victim Support Centre arrived at the scene and counselled Monde’s family.
Monde’s mother and grandmother arrived from eMbalenhle when they received the news.
“The family was very sad,” said Mr Calitz.
“This was purely an unfortunate accident.”
Monde was a Gr 1 pupil from Highveld Ridge Primary School.
His grandfather described him as a clever, inquisitive and outgoing child.
“He always wanted to know everything and asked many questions,” said Mr Mkutshwa.
The family is planning to have his funeral on Friday.
Read the previous articles here:
Boy drowns during Kosmos 3-in-1 Marathon
Update – Monde drowns at Umuzi Lodge
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