I extend my sincere condolences to the families of four children who tragically died after falling into a hole at the N2 Borcherds Quarry intersection at Nyanga.

The death of these four children is heart-breaking and we welcome the swift action by the Department of Social Development in providing counselling to the parents and family members of the children.

I will also go and personally meet with the parents tomorrow to extend condolences. No parents should have to suffer the great pain of burying their child.

Following this tragic incident, I instructed my Department, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works to conduct an urgent investigation to determine what happened. This investigation should include the identification of any similar of similar danger spots on the provincial road network.

It is our understanding that over the previous weekend, criminals had dug out large amounts of sand from the embankment of the road and this resulted in the material above collapsing while the children were playing there, unaware of this danger.

I have therefore requested that SAPS launch an investigation with the aim of bringing those who are now directly responsible for the death of these children to book.

I have also written to both SAPS and Law enforcement to urge increased policing in this area to prevent this from happening again, with a dedicated law enforcement strategy to stop it from happening. My colleague, Minister Fritz, will also have this raised through the different committees the province is represented on.

I urge community members to report any knowledge of this sort of criminal activity as soon as it happens, because if we know where it is, we can immediately investigate the area and ensure repair.

The number to report such incidents is: 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.

We have to do everything we can to not let this tragedy repeat itself again.