A six-year-old child from Manenberg has been hospitalised after he was injured at a local playpark when the chain of a swing snapped.
The mother of Adyaan Benjamin has called on parents to be careful when sending their kids to the park, after the child suffered extensive leg and facial injuries.
Zivia Benjamin, 30, said they rushed the boy to Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital on Saturday after the incident at the York Street park.
"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," she said.
"He explained that 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 said she was at home when she heard her husband screaming her name and got a fright when she saw blood coming from the child’s face.
"When I went to see, we realised the leg was broken," she said.
The worried couple rushed their son to the hospital where he has undergone surgery.
Benjamin said while the damage is not permanent she has concerns about the safety of the play equipment.
"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 said they were only made aware of the incident through the newspaper and explained the swings were in working order in the last assessment.
"Parks are inspected monthly and the play equipment was last assessed on Wednesday, March 19, 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," A City statement read.
To report broken play equipment at a park near you send an email to [email protected]
Cape Argus