The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba is shocked and saddened by the continuous incidents affecting minor children in the Province.
Reportedly, the Police in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen is investigating an inquest case following the gruesome discovery of two lifeless bodies of minor boys at Maupa village last night, on Monday, 09 November 2020.
It is alleged that the deceased went missing while attending a local church in this village at about 08:30 in the morning.
According to one of the deceased’s mothers, the victims both aged 03 and nephews, left home to the church and it was only realized in the evening that the children were missing. They started searching for the duo with other family members around the village but they were not found.
Afterward, she reported the missing children at Bellview satellite police station, and a joint search operation was launched by the Saps K9 Unit, the local police with the support from the local community
Subsequently, late at night on the same day, at about 20:30, the boys were finally found inside the back seat of the wrecked vehicle at one of the residences of the deceased.
Members of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were summoned and both deceased were certified dead on the scene.
The Preliminary Police investigations indicated that the boys were playing inside the vehicle when they were accidentally locked and unable to free themselves.
Unfortunately, there was no immediate assistance to free them and they suddenly suffocated to death due to the heatwave that was experienced during the day.
The Post mortem examination will still be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The Provincial Commissioner has once more called upon all members of the community to strengthen measures on child safety to avoid this type of incident to occur.
Police investigations are still continuing.