By Doreen Mokgolo
Seven days after Jabulani Mofafane drowned in the Kliprivier River, his family, community, and police continue searching for his body.
On 24 June, the seven-year-old boy slipped and fell into the river while playing with his two cousins, aged nine and 10, on a concrete bridge that does not have side railings.
The bridge allows the community access to the neighbouring area where there are tuckshops.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, the little boy’s grandfather, Sipho Nkosi, said the boys were playing a game to see who could throw a stick into the river the furthest.
“Jabulani attempted to break a branch from a tree close to the river, but he slipped and fell into the flowing river,” he said.
“He called for help, but his young cousins couldn’t save him and there were no adults nearby. By the time we arrived at the scene, it was too late. The river is too deep for an inexperienced swimmer, so we couldn’t attempt diving in without professional help.”
Sipho said all they found were Jabulani’s flip-flops floating in the water, which proved that he was in the river.
The family has visited the site every day, hoping that Jabulani’s body will be found.
The grandfather said the police failed the family by delaying the search for the body.
“The search and rescue team arrived at the scene around 7pm on Monday but they could not search for the body. They promised they would start in the morning,” he said.
“The following day, we were told that the river was flowing fast and the water was dirty, so they could not risk their lives searching for the body. They only started searching on Thursday when we called for help at provincial level.”
The family has since accepted that the little boy is no longer alive but is praying for the recovery of his body to give him a dignified funeral.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masonto confirmed that police dispatched a search and rescue team soon after the incident.
“The search continues,” he said.
Pictured above: Jabulani Mofafane.
Source: Supplied
