Girl, 4, dies in suspected electrocution at friend's home - IOL

TRAGIC: Four-year-old Diante van Wyk died in a suspected electrocution incident in Saldanha Bay.

"Just tell me where my child got electrocuted."

These are the desperate words of a Saldanha mother who is preparing to bury her year-old daughter, Diante van Wyk, after the little girl reportedly suffered a fatal electric shock while playing at a friend's house.

Police have registered an inquest into the little girl’s death, which occurred in Whipping Street, Hopland, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

While the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, IOL Media understands that Diante was playing at a friend’s house when the incident happened.

Her mother, Leezan, reportedly regularly visited the home.

A short video circulating on social media shows a distressed Leezan confronting the woman who was allegedly looking after Diante while she was playing outside.

“Don’t tell me sorry. I am her mother and now I have to bury her on Friday. Just tell me where my child got electrocuted, that is all I want to know,” she says in the video.

The woman can be heard responding that the incident happened outside, near a tap.

Leezan has since launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to help cover her daughter’s funeral expenses.

In her appeal, she said: “A few days ago I lost my baby Diante. She is four years old. As a mother, I will do anything to give my baby a proper funeral.

“I’m reaching out to you guys and the community for your help, please and thank you.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that an inquest had been registered.

He said: “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The incident occurred in Whipping Street, Hopland.”

Meanwhile, Diante’s uncle, Dante, has expressed frustration over what he believes is a lack of progress in the investigation.

Speaking in a TikTok livestream on Wednesday, he said the family felt they were being left to pursue answers themselves.

He said: “It has been more than a week since this happened. Not a single investigating officer or social worker has approached us. We have to walk after them.”

He said his sister has travelled up and down using her own money to do the funeral arrangements.

“That is why we started the BackaBuddy. It’s so bad because now it looks like we are begging for money. But I can’t sit back and allow my sister to go through this alone,” he said.

Dante said the sudden loss had left the family emotionally and financially overwhelmed.

“This was certainly not something we as a family were prepared for. Both financially and emotionally. And now we have to pretend like we are doing okay.”