Tebogo Msimanga |
The Police in Villa Norah and Bulgerivier in the Waterberg District have opened cases of Inquest after the bodies of two minor children aged 08 and 11 who reportedly drowned in separate incidents were retrieved on Wednesday after search operations conducted by members of the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit together with community members.
Limpopo Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said an 8-year-old boy was reportedly playing with his peers along Phalala river at Shongwane village, Leswaneng section on Monday 27 December 2021 when he allegedly fell into the river and was swept away by the strong flowing water.
“Search and Rescue unit, Villa Nora K9 and Airwing were summoned to the scene and managed to retrieve his body, 16 Kilometers away from the scene at Tshehlong village at about 07:00 on Wednesday.”
In a separate incident that occurred in Bulgerivier policing area, two adults, a 55-year-old female and 57-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy were reported missing yesterday on Tuesday 28 December 2021. “This was after the three were reportedly seen boating on Mokol Dam. When the boat disappeared, the matter was reported to the Police and a search operation commenced without success. “
Mojapelo added that the search operation resumed on Wednsday and at about 13:00, the boat was found in the Mokol River. “It is believed the boat was swept towards the downstream end of the Dam and plunged into the Mokol River.” The body of the 11-year-old boy was later found a few meters from the boat down the river bank.
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has cautioned communities to be extra careful when crossing rivers and boating to avoid drownings.