A Saldanha Bay family is preparing to say their final goodbye to four-year-old Diante van Wyk, whose sudden death has left her mother searching for answers about what happened while the little girl was playing at a friend’s home, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Diante died on Wednesday, 4 November, in Whipping Street, Hopland, after reportedly suffering an electric shock near an outdoor water tap.
Her mother, Leezan van Wyk, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, while police have opened an inquest to establish exactly how the child died.
According to the Cape Times, Leezan had briefly visited a friend’s house with her daughter before returning home to switch off a kettle.
Moments later, the friend reportedly arrived carrying Diante, who was unresponsive.
Leezan attempted to resuscitate her daughter before emergency personnel arrived, but efforts to save the little girl were unsuccessful.
Questions raised over possible electrocution
While the family believes Diante may have been electrocuted, the exact cause of her death has not yet been officially established.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that detectives were investigating the incident and that a post-mortem examination would be conducted.
Meanwhile, Smile 90.4FM reported that community members had raised concerns about an electrical cable reportedly found in water near where Diante had been playing.
Saldanha Bay Community Policing Forum chairperson Corrin Cleophas also expressed concern that the reported electrical hazard remained exposed after the incident, potentially placing other children at risk.
These concerns have added to the family’s calls for clarity about the circumstances leading to Diante’s death.
In a video shared on social media, Leezan can be seen confronting the woman who was reportedly caring for her daughter at the time.
Visibly distressed, the grieving mother repeatedly asks where the alleged electrocution occurred, explaining that she now faces the heartbreaking task of burying her child.
Family appeals for help with funeral expenses
Beyond the emotional devastation, Diante’s death has placed unexpected financial pressure on her loved ones.
Leezan has launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of giving her daughter a proper funeral.
In her appeal, the mother explained that she was reaching out to the community for assistance during an incredibly difficult period.
Diante’s uncle, Dante, has also spoken publicly about the family’s struggles, expressing frustration over what he believes has been a lack of communication from those investigating the death.
During a TikTok livestream, he claimed that relatives had been forced to seek updates themselves while also arranging the funeral.
He explained that the family had not been financially or emotionally prepared for such a devastating loss.
Community mourns as investigation continues
Diante’s death has also shaken residents in the Saldanha Bay community, with questions surrounding the reported electrical hazard remaining a concern.
The little girl is expected to be laid to rest on Friday, 13 November, as her family and loved ones gather to say goodbye.
For now, police are continuing their investigation, with the post-mortem expected to help establish the cause of death.
As the family prepares to bury Diante, her mother is still seeking the one thing she believes could help her begin to understand the tragedy: a clear account of what happened to her daughter.
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