A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was killed when a sand tunnel collapsed on him while he was playing with his friends.
Mogomotsi Modikwe from Segakwaneng Village in Moruleng outside Rustenburg, North West and his two friends had gone to play at a nearby river where business owners dig up sand to sell.
But tragedy struck when the tunnel of sand collapsed and the boys were trapped in the sand. One of them was able to dig himself out and call for help, but unfortunately Mogomotsi did not make it out alive.
The tragedy happened in July 2023, but the family said no one has taken accountability for the incident or compensated them.
Mogomotsi's sister, Koketso Modikwe, said her brother was the only family she had as their parents have died.
"No one has said anything about what happened or taken any accountability. I am struggling to live with the pain. We don't want any family to experience our pain. The area must be barricaded because it's a business site," she said.
Mogomotsi's aunt, Kedibone Modikwe, said they are struggling to forget what happened.
"It is too painful for us," she said.
She said Mogomotsi was a smart boy who was disciplined and was loved by people.
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Christina Deo, the grandmother of the friend who survived, said her grandson is still traumatised. She said he told her that it was their first time playing there and everything happened so fast.
A business owner said they were saddened by the incident, adding that many business people collect sand in that area to sell.
He said that he tried to help the family by providing transportation, but he wishes they could have united as business owners to help the family.
Police spokesman Captain Sam Tselanyane said an inquest docket was opened.
He said the police were called to a local clinic on 7 July 2023 at about 3pm where they were shown the body of a 13-year-old boy. He said it was alleged that the boy was at the river with his friends when he was trapped under the sand.
