Free State police probing death of toddler in pit toilet
Free State police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of a one-year-old boy who drowned in a pit toilet on Tuesday.
The incident happened at K10 Section, Kutlwanong, in Odendaalsrus.
“A one-year-eight-months boy fell inside the pit toilet and he drowned. At this stage we are investigating an inquest and the next of kin’s are informed about the incident and the SAPS divers were called to the scene to retrieve the body from the pit toilet,” says police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng.
Meanwhile, education advocacy group Section27 says pit toilets have been unlawful since 2016.
“Pit toilets have been unlawful since 2016 according to the Basic Education Department’s own regulations relating to uniform minimum norms and standards on public school infrastructure. So, they have missed their deadline to eradicate this by a number of years.”
In 2021, Education Minister Angie Motshega vowed to eradicate pit latrines in several provinces, including the Free State.
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