Mvelo Gumede’s body was found floating at a neighbour’s swimming pool. Images: Reaction Unit South Africa.
Missing five-year-old discovered drowned in neighbour’s pool
A search party was formed after five-year-old Mvelo Gumede went missing. His body was discovered floating at a neighbour’s pool in Lotusville.
Mvelo Gumede’s body was found floating at a neighbour’s swimming pool. Images: Reaction Unit South Africa.
The search for missing five-year-old Mvelo Gumede ended tragically as he was discovered drowned in a neighbour’s pool in Lotusville, KwaZulu-Natal.
The five-year-old reportedly disappeared while playing in the yard of his Sun Crescent, Lotusville and his body was discovered on Thursday, 5 January.
MISSING FIVE-YEAR-OLD FOUND DROWNED
According to private security, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a search was launched for the missing boy at approximately 18:49 on Wednesday, 4 January after he went missing.
The boy’s father informed Reaction officers that his son was playing with a six-year-old tenant when she decided to return home for refreshments. The young boy could not be located thereafter. Law enforcement officers reportedly interviewed the six-year-old female who was unable to provide any information.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said a search party was formulated and several locations around Lotusville were explored without success. The search was called off at 02:30 and resumed at 06:00 on Thursday morning.
Balram said the six-year-old female was re-interviewed by her aunt this morning. She appeared visibly traumatised and was still unable to provide any information. Her aunt left shortly thereafter to purchase treats for the girl.
While RUSA members were searching a bush in the area, they were informed by a resident that a child was located floating in his pool approximately 50 meters from their location.
“Reaction officers & RUSA medics proceeded to the property where the missing child was discovered floating face down in the pool. Medics retrieved his body from the pool at 07:21 and declared him deceased shortly thereafter.
“The five-year-old boy sustained traumatic injuries to his face. His sandals were found floating in the pool and foul play could not be confirmed.”
Prem Balram
The child reportedly resides in Ndwedwe with his mom but was spending the school holidays with his father in Lotusville.
It is suspected that the deceased entered the yard two doors away from his home through a damaged diamond wire mesh fence.
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