BOY FOUND DEAD IN WASMASJIEN - Activists warn parents after tragedy strikes Retreat family

 A DAD’S desperate search for a missing six-year-old Cape Town boy ended in heartbreak and disbelief when police found the seuntjie dead inside a washing machine.

Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the grim discovery was made at the boy’s father’s home in Ensor Street, Retreat, on Friday.

Twigg said officers rushed to the house after the father ran to the police station in a panic to report that his son had vanished.

He said they then searched in and around the house.

During the search, according to Twigg, officers were led to a washing machine inside the house, where they found the boy’s body.

Paramedics were called, but it was already too late.

The boy was declared dead at the scene.

Twigg said an inquest docket was under investigation, explaining: “Steenberg police registered an inquest for investigation following an incident which claimed the life of a six-year-old boy.

“The father of the child went to the police station to report him missing.

“Police members then went with him to his residence to conduct a search, which led them to a washing machine where the body of the child was found.”

Twigg said medical personnel attended the scene but could not do anything to save the child.

“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” he said.

“A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”

When the Daily Voice visited the family home on Sunday morning, the heartbroken father broke down in tears and said that the family were not ready to speak to the media about the tragedy. 

Meanwhile, missing persons organisations have sent out a stern warning to parents and guardians to be aware of places where children can innocently wander off and hide away.

Western Cape Missing Persons Unit (WCMPU) spokesperson, Candice van der Rheede, said while the latest case is very sensitive and as circumstances surrounding the incident are not known, she would like to encourage parents to be vigilant on their children’s whereabouts.

Van der Rheede said: “The most important thing is to know where your child is at all times, if your child is playing outside, go and check every two minutes or ask someone.

“Two years ago we had a case of a child who went missing, I asked our members to check the house, under the bed and in the cupboard. Start at your house.

“If you have a car standing in your yard for years, fridges, washing machines which have not been used for years, get rid of it. 

“Our children have inquiring minds when they are playing. They will play hide and seek. They don’t want to be found.”