AS CHILD Protection Week came to an end yesterday, the community of Eastridge in Mitchells Plain were reeling in shock after the death of a toddler with a disability on Wednesday night.
It is claimed that the mother left the three-year-old home alone and that the body may have been left there for more than a day.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said that the circumstances surrounding the incident are now under investigation.
Swartbooi reports: “Mitchells Plain police responded to a complaint on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. Upon their arrival in Olive Street in Eastridge at about 7.30pm, they found the body of a three-year-old boy.
“The victim was declared deceased by the medical personnel.
“Mitchells Plain police registered an inquest for further investigation.”
Linda Jones, spokesperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum, said that they do not have much information on the incident but will leave not stone left unturned in their investigation.
She explains: “I was informed by a reliable source that there was no one in the house when the body was found.
“And people say it seems the body could have been there for more than a day.”
The circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death remains a mystery.
Norman Jantjies, chairperson of the Mitchells Plain CPF, adds: “We are aware of the child who passed away and are worried about the circumstances.
“We cannot speculate but what we have heard from the community is that this family is involved in substance abuse, so it is a rather unfortunate case, and the community [suspects] that they neglected this child.
“Because of the unnatural death, there will be an inquest, and criminal charges might follow...”
The Daily Voice visited the Olive Street home twice yesterday and neither the mother or any family members were home on either occasion.
Jones said that the Mitchells Plain SAPS confirmed that the parents had been to the morgue to identify the toddler yesterday evening.
She says: “It was confirmed by the colonel at the Mitchells Plain SAPS that the parents were at the mortuary and the Department of Social Development is working on the case.”
Anyone with information on the tot’s death can call Crime stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app anonymously.