By Sbongile Sokela
Heartbreak struck the community of Duduza in Ekurhuleni when two young boys from Dan Radebe Primary School drowned in a water-filled construction pit near the Mega City Flats on June 20.
The victims, Molefe Kgasi (11) and Samukelo France (10), were close friends and Grade 5 classmates. Their bodies were discovered in a rain-filled pond at an unsecured construction site in John Dube, sparking widespread concern over safety measures at such locations.
According to residents, the large pit had been left open, unmarked, and unguarded, becoming a dangerous play area for children, especially after heavy rains turned it into a makeshift swimming hole.
“This is a heartbreaking incident,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane. “Losing young lives in this way is devastating, not only for the families but for the school community and the province as a whole. We extend our condolences to the parents, teachers, classmates and friends of these pupils.”
The Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched its psycho-social support team to Dan Radebe Primary to offer trauma counselling and emotional support to learners, staff and affected families.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the community continues to demand accountability and urgent safety interventions.
