PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A 15-year-old Kwanokuthula resident drowned in a dam described as a hazardous dam and reed area in the township on Monday 24 November.

Reports indicated he was one of a group of boys who had been playing with makeshift sailing boards on the water.

"One of the boards capsized and, sadly, the young boy drowned," said Bitou Ward 5 Councillor Samkele Mangxaba.

Devastating loss

The diving and rescue team recovered his body on Tuesday.

"This is a devastating loss for the family and our community," said Mangxaba. "I know this may be portrayed as political, but what we are highlighting is the negligence and arrogance of the DA-led coalition in failing to respond to our community's pleas and to the concerns we repeatedly raised in council about the hazardous dams caused by blockages behind Cuba Street and the CDC.

"We have raised these issues in council, through emails, and through formal motions, yet they were ignored and now we are faced with the tragic loss of a young boy's life as a result."

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said Kwanokuthula Police opened an inquest docket following the death of a 15-year-old boy in the dam near CDC in Kwanokuthula on Monday 24 November at 17:00. 

In a statement released on Wednesday 26 November, he said that available reports suggested that the boys went for a swim when one disappeared in the water.

His body was later retrieved from the water and he was declared dead by paramedics on scene.

Bitou Municipality has been asked to comment on the incident and when received, it will be added to the article.

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