The Little Ashford Early Childhood Development Centre in Bedfordview, Ekurhuleni, was the subject of furore after a three-year-old toddler died under the supervision of teachers.
Little Ashford tragedy: Mourning father claims Bedfordview creche broke the news an hour later
As reported by News24, the tragic incident took place shortly after 11:00 on Tuesday morning.
According to information obtained by Ekurhuleni investigators thus far, the Little Kganya Mokhele was fiddling around with a toy shelf when it fell onto him.
In a statement released on Tuesday, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the toddler was rushed to the hospital but by then, it was too late.
The three-year-old was declared dead on arrival.
Addressing the media during a visit to the childcare centre on Wednesday, the toddler’s father Ntaote, revealed he was still wrapping his head around how it took Little Ashford an hour to inform him of his child’s death.
“When I asked them yesterday, it looked like it took time for the paramedics to come. The security can confirm that because he is the one who said that they asked him to call the paramedics.
“On the footage it says 9:50 that is when it happened and I received a call at 10:36 to come here and I received another call before 11:00 telling me to go to the hospital,” he told Jacaranda News.
According to the Bedfordview creche’s chief executive Cedric Ntumba, however, the prolonged delay in contacting the toddler’s parents was to allow staff members time to execute the centre’s internal protocol.
“As the child was moved from the school to the hospital, certain action and changes needed to take place. So a lot was happening yesterday. If through all of that we find ourselves where there has been miscommunication nor communicated in a timely manner, I can sincerely apologise,” he said.
It’s believed police have since launched an inquest into the circumstances of Little Mokhele’s death.