Key Points
- A three-year-old child suffocated inside a car in Khayelitsha, with police discovering the body on January 30, 2025.
- In Kleinvlei, a young boy’s charred remains were found inside an old, unfit Ford Bantam that caught fire.
- Authorities have opened inquests into both incidents and will conduct a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Two Cape Town communities are in mourning after the tragic deaths of young children in separate incidents involving vehicles, a development that has sparked national reactions.
In Khayelitsha, a three-year-old child suffocated inside a car. According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Harare police discovered the toddler’s body on Qamela Street on Thursday, January 30, 2025, while responding to a complaint.
Emergency medical services (EMS) confirmed the child was already deceased upon arrival. Authorities in Cape Town have opened an inquest and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 0860010111.
Boy’s Charred Remains Found in Vehicle
In Kleinvlei, police found the charred remains of a young boy inside a Ford Bantam in Norway Street, Forest Village. Swartbooi stated that officers arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. and discovered the burnt body of a child, believed to be between 7 and 10 years old, inside an old, mechanically unfit vehicle.
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Forest Village councillor Ursula Barends expressed the community’s devastation, confirming that the child perished in an unused car that caught fire.
Authorities have launched an inquest into the case and are calling on the public to provide any relevant information through Crime Stop or the MySAPS app.
The tragic incidents have reignited calls for increased child safety measures and community vigilance. In Khayelitsha, residents have expressed outrage and grief, with many questioning how a child could be left unattended in a vehicle. Community leaders are urging parents and caregivers to be more cautious, emphasizing the dangers of leaving children unsupervised, especially in or around vehicles. Local organizations have begun offering workshops on child safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In Kleinvlei, the discovery of the charred remains has left the community in shock, with many demanding answers about how an unused vehicle could pose such a deadly risk. Councillor Ursula Barends has called for stricter regulations on abandoned or derelict vehicles, which are often left unattended in public spaces and can become hazardous. She also highlighted the need for better community policing and increased patrols to ensure the safety of children playing in the area.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reiterated the importance of community involvement in reporting suspicious activities or unsafe conditions. They have also urged parents to educate children about the dangers of playing in or around vehicles. Meanwhile, social workers and trauma counselors have been deployed to both communities to provide support to grieving families and residents.
These heartbreaking incidents have sparked a national conversation about child safety and the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable children. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and greater awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies from recurring. As investigations continue, the communities of Khayelitsha and Kleinvlei remain united in their grief, hoping for justice and safer environments for their children.
