While her death is still being investigated, police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng says six-year-old Lucia Jika drowned when she tried to get her ball out of a manhole. It was a normal Wednesday afternoon on 9 November 2022 when she was playing with a ball in the Matebesi Section of Mmamahabane. The unimaginable happened when her ball fell inside the manhole and she attempted to take it out by herself. Thakeng states that her mother was at the scene.

ALSO READ: Two children reported missing in Bronville after going swimming

Earlier in 2022, two brothers, Nadio Pienaar (5) and Marshall Pienaar (7), drowned in a mine dam at Bronville. It was previously reported that eyewitnesses told the police a group of boys made their way to the dam, but a 5-year-old experienced difficulties after venturing too deep. While struggling to get out of the dam, the boy’s 7-year-old brother tried to rescue him. Both boys then reportedly disappeared and later drowned. The incident was reported to the police the following day. The South African Police Service’s diving unit, led by Conrad Fouche, managed to retrieve the two bodies.

ALSO READ: Pit bull attacks, kills child

An 8-year-old boy's memorial service was held in Bloemfontein on Thursday, 17 November 2022 after he was attacked and killed by a pit bull on Saturday, 12 November 2022. 

Police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, said the pit bull escaped its enclosure on the day and jumped over a fence into a neighbour’s premises. The boy, Olebogeng Mosime, was attacked and killed. 

"The police and paramedics were summoned to the scene. The pit bull was shot and the boy was sadly declared dead on the scene." 

The Mangaung Police Station is currently investigating the matter.

OFM News