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Sindisiwe Sibanda/Mollet Ndebele, Sunday News Reporters
A two-year-old toddler last week drowned in a 20-litre bucket full of water, police have said.
The toddler from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb, who was only identified as Amahle, crawled outside the house without her mother noticing since she was preparing food, and fell into the bucket. Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednego Ncube said police were investigating the incident.
“I can confirm that we are investigating sudden death by drowning of a toddler that occurred on Wednesday at around 11am.
Observations are that the mother of the now deceased left a bucket with water outside the house as she was preparing food for the baby. The baby crawled outside the house where the mother followed after about 20 minutes to look for her and upon arrival found the baby already drowning and an ambulance was called. When the crew arrived the baby was already dead,” said Insp Ncube.
Insp Ncube said the toddler’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem.
“We convey our condolences to the deceased family and we encourage the public and parents to be careful and not leave open buckets in open spaces as this might trigger many unfortunate incidents.
“Due to increasing drowning incidents, police have urged the public to ensure that all water reservoirs are secured at all times in order to protect our innocent children from drowning,” he said.
Meanwhile, another toddler died after he fell off from a bed in Pelandaba. The toddler, who was a year old died last Sunday.
Insp Ncube said the toddler was playing on the bed with his five-year-old sister while their mother was cleaning outside.
“The deceased fell from the bed to the floor and when the mother heard him crying she rushed in to the house to stop the kid from crying. After this she called the ambulance but when the crew arrived the child was already dead,” said Insp Ncube.
The body was taken to UBH for a post-mortem. Insp Ncube advised members of the public not to leave young children alone without elderly supervision.
Online Reporter