By Mpho Moloi
Two children, aged 10 and 11, tragically drowned on Sunday in an excavation pit filled with rainwater in Thabong Extension 4, Welkom, Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State.
The pit was part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Sewer Network Repairs Project, with Vaal Central Water serving as the implementing agent.
According to Vaal-Central Water Board spokesperson Lindiwe Mnguni, a group of children had been playing near the waterlogged excavation site. One child alerted community members when the two victims attempted to swim in the pit and encountered difficulties. Residents promptly retrieved the children and called emergency services. Despite paramedics’ efforts to resuscitate them, both children were declared deceased at the scene.
Mnguni expressed condolences on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation and Vaal-Central Water, stating, “The DWS and VCW convey deepest condolences to the families of the two children and promise that the matter is being investigated and will provide an update once all parties have been consulted, including the project contractor.”
She also urged the community to exercise caution around construction sites, especially after rainfall, and advised parents to keep children away from water bodies to prevent similar incidents.
This tragedy highlights the dangers posed by unattended excavation sites, particularly those filled with water. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere; for instance, in April 2024, a four-year-old boy drowned after falling into an excavation site in Johannesburg’s Clay Oven informal settlement. 
The Department of Water and Sanitation has initiated an investigation into the Thabong incident to determine the circumstances leading to the children’s access to the hazardous area. The findings will inform future safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
Community members are encouraged to report unsafe conditions at construction sites to local authorities to ensure prompt action and safeguard public safety.
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