8-Year-old boy drowns in river
CANELANDS – An 8-year-old boy drowned while swimming in the Mdloti River in Canelands on Monday afternoon.
Siyamthanda Mkhize, a Grade 3 pupil from Umdloti Primary School in Barrs Flats was in the company of three (3) friends when they decided to swim in the river. Mkhize stripped naked and entered the water alone.
His friends noticed him experiencing difficulty as he drifted into deeper water. Two of the boys fled to a nearby sand mining company and requested assistance, while the third child proceeded to Mkhize’s home to inform his family.
An employee from the business entered the river and retrieved the body before contacting RUSA for assistance. Paramedics were immediately dispatched and on arrival at approximately 14:01 examined the minor. He showed no signs of life and was declared deceased. Condolences to the family and friends of the little boy.