City of Joburg launches probe into 10-year-old’s drowning

The City of Johannesburg has launched an investigation into the death of a 10-year-old who drowned at a public pool.

The incident happened on Sunday in Dobsonville, Soweto.

Council speaker Margaret Arnolds visited the victim’s family on Wednesday to offer condolences and gain clarity on the tragedy.

Preliminary information suggests that the father of the victim had accompanied his son to the local pool and watched him as he swam.

Arnolds said that officials say that life guards were on duty.

She said that the family is struggling to deal with the death of their child and has not indicated whether they will open a case with the police.

"Dad is out of it, and he keeps asking did this really happen to my child. Mom does not even talk, so I wouldn’t want to say that the family confirmed anything."

Arnolds said that the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture in the city also needs to indicate what steps will be taken moving forward.