Parents urged to exercise caution, after 4 children found dead after trapped in old car

A tragic incident in Petsana, Reitz, where lifeless bodies of four children below five years of age were discovered trapped in an old car, has left many with goosebumps.

Four children, namely Lesedi Mnguni and Jwalane Goodness Mnguni, both aged 3 years, and Lerato Donald Tshabalala (2) and Mojalefa Mokoena (4) suffocated to their death while playing in an old car.

The police have urged parents to be more watchful and safeguard their children at all times when they are playing.

Speaking to Kasi Voice News, police spokesperson in Thabo Mofutsanyana district, Mmako Mophiring said parents must clear out unused household items that can be harmful to children and ensure that old cars are kept locked, and children are prohibited from making this cars their playgrounds.

“Parents are sternly warned throw away old fridges and to ensure children do not play inside old cars. We also urge parents to always monitor the tracks of where their children play at,” said Mophiring.

According to Mophiring, two of the children were under the custodian of the 72-year-old grandmother, and they were visited by two of their cousins, where they were last seen playing in the grandmother’s house.

“They [children] were last seen outside at about 11:30, when they were playing under the woman’s supervision, and at around 16:30, family members arrived and asked where the children were.

“Following an intense search, they were eventually found trapped in an old Volvo S40 sedan,” unpacked Mophiring.

It is alleged that families of the deceased tried to open the doors, but the doors were locked from the inside and the windows closed.

“The car did not have a battery as well and they forcefully opened it and took all four children out and called the emergency personnel. 

“Upon arrival, the EMS [officials] certified all four children [dead] and said they had been dead for a while,” added Mophiring.

The police have opened an inquest case and investigations are undergoing.