DISASTER: The broken swing
Image: Supplied
A six-year-old laaitie from Manenberg has been hospitalised after he was injured at a local playpark when the chain of a swing snapped.
The hartseer mother of Adyaan Benjamin has called on parents to be careful when sending their kids to the park after the boytjie suffered extensive leg and facial injuries.
Mom Zivia, 30, says they rushed the boy to Red Cross Hospital on Saturday after the incident at the York Street park.
She explains: "The incident happened just before 12pm on Saturday. My husband took my son to the park in York Street and he was on the swing.
"He explained the child had been swinging and he was pushing him when suddenly the chain snapped. Shockingly the chain wrapped around his leg and he was suspended in the air but as it came loose he fell and sustained injuries to his face."
The shocked mom says she was at home when she heard her husband screaming her name and got a moerse skrik when she saw blood coming from the child’s face.
She adds: "When I went to see, we realised the leg was broken."
The worried couple rushed their son to the hospital where he has undergone surgery.
Zivia says while the damage is not permanent she has concerns about the safety of the play equipment.
She adds: "He is recovering and they inserted plates and screws and he will now have to go for physiotherapy. I just want to warn parents to be careful and call on the City to inspect the play equipment as this could have been a lot worse."
The City of Cape Town says they were only made aware of the incident through the Daily Voice and explain the swings were in working order in the last assessment.
A City statement reads: "Parks are inspected monthly and the play equipment was last assessed on Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
"The swings were in working order at the time and the park is due to be inspected next week.
"The Department is currently conducting an investigation into the matter."
To report broken play equipment at a park near you send an email to RP.enquiries@capetown.gov.za
Injured INJURED: Little Adyaan Benjamin, 6, recovering in hospital
Image: Supplied