<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe police\u2019s diving unit was summoned to the scene, but it was a health risk because of the sewage in the quarry, says Lt. Col. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson for the Lejweleputswa police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employees of the Matjha\u00adbeng Municipality were deployed to drain the sewage. The body of the deceased was found stuck in the mud of the quarry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thakeng says the body was retrieved at 17:30 and brought beside the quarry, where the boy was certified dead by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. A case of inquest was registered for further investigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deceased was identified as Pule Lithebe by his father, Lefu Semenyane, residing at Zone 13, Meloding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChildren are sternly warned to, during these school holidays, not swim in quarries full of water or sewage, as it is a health risk and they could drown. Parents must know the whereabouts of their children,\u201d says Thakeng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tshediso Tlali, spokes\u00adperson for the Matjhabeng Municipality, says the accident is deeply regretted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSince Sunday, the acting executive mayor, Cllr. Hlobohang Mokhomo, and Matjhabeng municipal officials have been in contact with the bereaved family to offer condolences and support,\u201d says Tlali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Monday, Mokhomo visited the family and directed mayoral committee members (MMCs) and the ward councillor to work closely with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur teams are already closing the pit where the incident occurred, and an investigation is underway to identify the contractor responsible for the unauthorised excavation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe executive mayor has also instructed the Community Services Department to refurbish and reopen swimming pools and address hazardous areas to enhance safety,\u201d says Tlali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe urge parents to supervise their children during the holidays and caution against swimming in unsafe areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe municipality remains committed to ensuring community safety and preventing such incidents,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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We are thankful to every person who has been supporting us.\"","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Witherow quarry in Heidedal, Bloemfontein.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Police-divers-snapped-after-retrieving-the-body-of-Benjamin-Van-Wyk-from-the-quarry.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267519,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/another-tragic-drowning-claims-a-child-in-matjhabeng\/","url_meta":{"origin":46375,"position":3},"title":"Another tragic drowning claims a child in Matjhabeng","author":"Marti Will","date":"5 August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In the latest incident, an eleven-year-old boy drowned at a construction site in the K5 Section of Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Drowning in Kutlwanong","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Police-crime-intelligence-4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51308,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/towns-drown-in-problems-20231026-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":46375,"position":4},"title":"Towns drown in problems","author":"Vista","date":"26 October 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The sewage crisis engulfing and flooding virtually every town, settlement and even waterway in Matjhabeng is heading towards a major ecological and health disaster.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/da478b5580ea434caa554cc56bca77c7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/da478b5580ea434caa554cc56bca77c7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/da478b5580ea434caa554cc56bca77c7.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/da478b5580ea434caa554cc56bca77c7.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58789,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/water-crisis-in-meloding-20211022\/","url_meta":{"origin":46375,"position":5},"title":"Water Crisis In Meloding","author":"Vista","date":"29 October 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Youth Empowerment Organisation (YEO) took the initiative to help distribute water in Meloding during the Matjhabeng Water Crisis. 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