Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the child drowned while passing at a river in the area on Saturday. His drowning follows after the tragic drowning incident of 7 kids and one male adult on the farm Somerset East in this area on Sunday. 

Makhele says according to information, the 32-year-old mother was visiting her boyfriend when she was swept away by the water and the child fell into the river. Makhele adds that the mother claims the baby was swept away by the water and she went home to sleep and only reported the incident on Sunday morning. 

The police are, however, investigating culpable homicide. The police in the area are said to have received a complaint of the incident from the mother on 2021-01-07 at 09:00.

"They went to the scene and found the mother, who alleged that on the said date and time she had her son on her back when she tried to cross the river to visit her boyfriend when she was swept away by the water. She says the child fell into the river and was swept away," he adds. 

The SAPS Diving Unit managed to retrieve the body of the child.

OFM News