The Mitchell’s Plain community is reeling following the death of a three-year-old boy who was found dead inside his Eastridge home on Wednesday.
Police detectives made the gruesome discovery on Wednesday evening, after they were alerted.
“Upon their arrival in Olive Street in Eastridge at about 19:30, 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. We appeal to anyone who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding this incident to please call Crime stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,” said SAPS spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi.
It’s believed the little boy was either mentally or physically-challenged, and that he had been dead for more than a day before his corpse was found.
According to the Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum, the toddler’s parents are apparently drug addicts who made a habit of neglecting and abandoning their child.
“The mother left the house with the kid inside. The kid is disabled and when she came back she found him dead. We were reliably informed by the neighbours that the parents are involved with substance abuse issues,” said CPF chair Norman Jantjies.