ZIM toddler drowns in disused SA swimming pool

Tragedy has struck hard on a South Africa based Zimbabwean family whose 18-month-old daughter drowned in a disused swimming pool at their home.

Leon Tinovonga Mariga is reported to have snuck out from the house when his mother who was not feeling well took a short nap. After leaving the house and avoiding the attention of his older sister and another adult who was in the house, Leon fell into the disused pool and drowned.

The pool was covered with green algae and it is suspected that Leon mistook it for a lawn. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was buried on Wednesday afternoon at the prime West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.

Leon’s parents Leonard and Auxillia Mariga were distraught after their loss and could not hide their pain. They were being consoled by the Zimbabwean community in Windsor East, Randburg.

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