A three-year-old girl died after being trapped inside a locked car at Seshego Hospital in Limpopo on Monday afternoon. Police have opened a culpable homicide case as the community demands accountability.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said officers received a complaint around 3:10 pm about a possible child death at the hospital. When police arrived, a doctor directed them to a blue Toyota Corolla Cross parked in the hospital yard.
Inside, they found the lifeless body of a toddler who had been trapped for several hours with the windows closed. Medical staff confirmed that the child had died from heat exposure and lack of oxygen.
Mother Allegedly Forgot Child in Car
Preliminary findings suggest the child was left in the vehicle by her mother earlier that morning.
“Information gathered so far indicates that at about 7:00 am, the deceased was left by her mother inside the motor vehicle when she rushed for a handover session at the medical facility and seemingly forgot about her in the car,” said Ledwaba.
Shock and Outrage in the Community
The Seshego community has expressed disbelief and anger at the incident, calling it a wake-up call on negligence and child safety, particularly during the current heatwave in Limpopo.
Police have confirmed that a forensic investigation will determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities have urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant, warning that even a few minutes in a locked car can prove fatal for young children in extreme heat.
