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Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams
- On Monday, another boy died after falling into a trench in Hammanskraal.
- Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams says legal action will be taken against the contractor who dug the trench.
- The latest drowning comes two days after three children were found dead in a stormwater ditch under construction on Saturday.
The city of Tshwane will take legal action after a fourth child drowned in Hammanskraal, in a trench that was dug by an outside contractor working on a housing project.
Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams announced Monday that another child had drowned in the township, this time in Extension 10, District 49.
On Saturday afternoon, three children, two aged 10 and one aged nine, were found dead in a stormwater ditch under construction at Tambo Extension 1, near the traffic department in Hammanskraal.
READ | Three children found dead in a stormwater trench under construction in Hammanskraal
Williams said an investigation into the tragedy was underway, but engagements with the local community indicate that Friday’s storm brought down some barricades at the site, which the children used to swim and play inside the trench.
The children are believed to have drowned.
Just two days later, tragedy struck again when two young children, sent out shopping, fell into a trench.
“Tragically, one of the young children drowned, while the other was rescued and taken to hospital,” Williams said.
Williams said the three Tshwane MMCs, deployed to the scene to interact with the local community, city officials and contractors, found that the site had not been properly secured, nor barriers had been placed.
“I consider this to be negligence on the part of the contractor, as it is clear that the contractor did not take the necessary precautions to ensure that there was adequate control of access to the site,” Williams said.
“I have given immediate instructions that legal action must be taken against the contractor.”
READ | Probe launched after 3 children drowned in a stormwater trench under construction in Hammanskraal
“The city will take steps to hold the contractor accountable and we will consider all legal options available to us.”
Williams added that she would immediately call the ward councilor, community liaison officer and site administrators to explain their responsibilities regarding the incident and site management.
“These people must have direct supervision over these projects on an ongoing basis and are the first line of contact on these matters with the local community.”
Project management personnel will also be dispatched to conduct site inspections at all construction sites around the city and report after the last drowning.
“Wherever we discover instances of poor security or failures at adequate security sites, the city will treat contractors harshly.”
The mayor is expected to meet with the family of the three deceased children on Saturday, and will also prioritize an engagement with the family of the young man who drowned on Monday.
“Our condolences and condolences also go out to the affected families who experienced this tragic loss today.”
“Words cannot convey the sadness and pain you must feel at the loss of this young man. May peace and comfort be found during this difficult time and may this young man’s soul rest in peace,” Williams concluded.
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