Detectives in Saldanha Bay have opened an inquest docket as they try to establish the circumstances of a little girl’s death in the area this week.  

The Western Cape SAPS said four-year-old Diante van Wyk was pronounced dead at Whipping Street in Hopland on Wednesday. Spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that investigations are underway.  

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” said Twigg.  

Diante’s mother, Lezaan, spoke to the local paper, Weslander, describing the moments prior to the little girl’s death. She said she was getting Diante ready for the day when they went to her friend’s house to collect a comb. Lezaan then hurried back home to switch the kettle off.  

Shortly after, Lezaan said her friend came to her house with Diante’s lifeless body in her arms. Efforts to resuscitate her failed, and she was later declared deceased by medical personnel.  

There is a strong belief that Diante was electrocuted because community members found an electrical cable in a pool of water near where the girl was playing.  

The post-mortem examination will now confirm whether this is the case. 

Chairperson of the Saldanha Bay Community Policing Forum, Corrin Cleophas, said there are many other rumours going around in the community about what possibly could have happened.  

“Lezaan is in quite a state. I think she is in that stage where she is still in denial and cannot believe that Diante isn’t there anymore… At this point in time, I don’t want to talk to Lezaan about [the rumours], we only supporting her emotionally,” said Cleophas.  

She added that the community is also up in arms because the scene of the alleged incident is still the same and remains exposed.

“The place where the electrocution happened: the cable is still there, the water is still there, its still open. So, it can still happen to any other child.” 

Cleophas confirmed that Diante is being laid to rest on Friday.