A CLOUD has fallen over residents of Madiba Park near Polokwane in Limpopo after the death of three boys who drowned in a manhole.

The incident happened last Friday at a construction site for a new residential area between Madiba Park and Legae La Batho near Polokwane.

The victims, aged between seven and eight, had gone to the area to swim.

The construction company had allegedly failed to close some of the holes it had dug. Unaware that the water was deep, the boys allegedly threw themselves into it. Two of the victims were trapped by the mud under the water while one was found floating on top of the water.

Seshego police spokesman Sergeant Mothemane Malefo said they had opened an inquest docket and that investigations were continuing.

According to Malefo the boys fell into a ditch which is about 2m deep and about 20m long.

The victims were identified as Rendani Sebola, Manoko Mpherwane and Mamoledi Mamashela, all from Madiba Park.

Malefo also warned children against swimming in unsafe dams or streams, saying those doing so would be risking their lives.