Death pool filled in

The pool where two three-year-old boys drowned has been filled in.

The disused swimming pool in which two three-year-old Imizamo Yethu boys drowned earlier this year has been filled in with sand and rocks.

Friends Liyabona Ndude and Zingce Phandle drowned in the pool at the back of Little Lambs daycare and Silikamva High School on Thursday March 1.

The property used to be a YMCA camping ground, but it is now owned by the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works and is being developed as the new Silikamva High School building.

Contractor Haw & Inglis Civil Engineering had fenced off the pool, but the boys got in through a small gate left slightly ajar.

Imizamo Yethu residents were shocked by the tragedy, and a series of community engagements with public works and the education department followed.

Three weeks ago, a decision was taken to fill in the pool with sand and rocks, and this was carried out two weeks ago.

Community leader Kenny Tokwe said residents were glad the pool had now been filled in.

“This has been done as a precaution to prevent any further incidents. It was decided to fill in the pool with sand and rocks and not cement, as there are plans to build a new community school on the site in the future,” he said.

“We would like to have a pool there when that happens, as this would benefit the whole community.”

Silikamva High principal Dianne Morgan, who has been providing counselling to pupils affected by the drowning, including a matric who found the bodies, confirmed that the pool had been filled in after discussions between the community and provincial departments.

Queries sent to Haw & Inglis Civil Engineering were received but not responded to by the time this edition went to print.

Siphesihle Dube, spokesperson for Public Works MEC Donald Grant, said he had requested information relating to the work done.