By Thomo Nkgadima
The family of a boy who drowned in a quarry blame truck owners for excavating the soil from the land owned by the municipality to sell to those who build their houses and fill their foundations.
A 52-year-old unemployed mother, Aleta Mogofe intends to take legal action against the local municipality for the pain and suffering endured following the loss.
Her 12-year-old son, Thabang Mogofe drowned while playing with his three friends in a man-made quarry used as a dumping site in Burgersfort, Limpopo. His friends who witnessed Thabang drowning ran away from the scene and never reported the incident to the elders.
The following day, the deceased’s mother went to her relative staying a few kilometres in search of her son. . “They told me my son didn’t visit them that day. I thought because he didn’t sleep at home, the possibility was that he visited them and decided to sleep at their place, “said the distraught mother.
Upon investigations, the concerned mother was shocked to learn about what happened to her son.
‘”I went to his friends whom he was last seen with. I was told that my son was pushed inside into the water by another naughty boy. He drowned crying for help,” said teary Aleta.
Her sister went to the quarry, only to find Thabang’s lifeless body trapped under the mud inside water. Divers together with Forensic pathology responded to the scene.
Aleta’s 30-year-old Morogwa who was with his mother during the search of Thabang said “My brother was certified dead, my mother was told to go home. I could see he was dead and I started crying. He was full of life and he wanted to become a doctor and save people’s lives. His life was cut short at the time the family was expecting more from him. This is unbelievable and we find it difficult to accept as we continue to heal as a family”.
The family is preparing funeral arrangements and appeal to anyone willing to help with funeral costs to step in and assist.
The funeral is scheduled for this coming Sunday!
