Tsakani – Thirteen-year-old Tebogo Mapanga drowned in a body of water at the old Vlakfontein mine on Saturday.
It is alleged the teenager together with a group of eight friends went to the abandoned mine to teach each other how to swim.
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The deceased’s father, Tumelo Mokoena, told the police the last time he saw his son alive was when he was playing with his siblings, aged three and seven, outside their house.
The sister and brother returned home for lunch but Tebogo was not with them.
Tsakani police spokesperson Sgt Lerato Mngomezulu said in the evening, the family went out in search of Tebogo. They were informed by some of the teen’s friends that he said he was going to swim at the old mine.
“The following day, the father reported his son missing at Tsakani SAPS.
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“Officers from the sector vehicle and the father searched the area and found his pants, underpants and socks next to the water,” she explained.
SAPS Search and Rescue was called in and his body was found in the water.
Tsakani SAPS station commander Col Khumbulani Mbatha said he appreciates the officers who responded immediately to assist the family to find their son’s body.
