Divers from the South African Police Service Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were deployed to several incidents in Gauteng between October 12 and 21, resulting in the recovery of four bodies and a foetus.
Late on October 12, Sedibeng members were deployed to the Vaal River, Vereeniging, for a drowning scene at Spider Valley, where young men had been swimming.
After a 92-minute dive, the victim’s body was recovered and handed to Vereeniging SAPS members for investigation.
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On October 15, officers again received a call from the Vereeniging SAPS of a male who had allegedly jumped from the FW de Klerk Bridge into the Vaal River.
Divers identified the scene, but severe storms meant they only proceeded first thing the following morning.
With the help of the Johannesburg WPDS, members searched the area from both sides of the banks but divers found no victim after a 140-minute dive to a depth of 9m.
Attending to a complaint of a body in the Vaal River close to R59 on October 19 led to the recovery of a male body, which was handed to the Vereeniging SAPS for investigation and a possible link to the victim who jumped off the bridge.
On October 17, Johannesburg members were called to Lehae near Golden Highway, Lenasia South, for a suspected drowning. They recovered the body of a male aged about 40 entangled in a fishing net and handed it to the Lenasia SAPS.
On the same day, Ekurhuleni attended an all-day operation for a complaint of illegal fishing nets at Boschkop, Vaal Dam, with the Vaal Marina SAPS and the Green Scorpions, recovering six nets.
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They returned many live fish to the dam and destroyed the nets and rotten fish on-site. Investigations into the matter will continue in collaboration with the Green Scorpions.
Tshwane members attended a scene in Erasmia on October 18, recovering the body of an unknown man in a bad state of decomposition from the Hennops River. The body was handed to the Erasmia SAPS for investigation.
On October 21, Ekurhuleni helped the Rabie Ridge SAPS with a complaint that led to the recovery of a foetus from a sewerage stream.
Concealment of birth is an offence, and the SAPS will follow up on all leads.
The inquest dockets for these cases are under investigation. Individuals with information about these incidents are urged to contact the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
“In the wake of the Safer Festive Season campaign and these recent ongoing incidents, the inherent dangers of rivers and dams demand continued attention,” said SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin.
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“With warm weather, the rainy season and school holidays prevailing, heightened awareness is crucial to mitigate accidents.”
He emphasised that precautionary measures would avert needless loss of life.
Individuals venturing onto dams, rivers or waters for any activity should do so only with a life jacket.
“Parents of young children near open waters should teach them about the dangers and ensure constant supervision.
“This information to parents, guardians and caregivers cannot be emphasised enough, and attention must be drawn to this.”
Individuals intending to traverse rivers should do so exclusively at dedicated bridges because accidents often stem from rapid currents sweeping away victims.
Avoid low-water bridges if there is heavy rain or flooding.
Those engaging in baptism rituals should know the risks. There is the potential for contamination from Gauteng rivers, like the Klip and Juksei rivers, with sewage and chemicals posing health hazards and many drownings stemming from these activities.
“Divers and their equipment undergo a meticulous decontamination process after emerging from polluted waters, emphasising the health risks for those inadvertently exposing themselves to these waters,” said Giblin.
Witnesses to water-related incidents on dams or rivers are urged to provide multiple landmarks to pinpoint locations for immediate search and rescue efforts.
The SAPS remind the public that fishing with nets is dangerous, illegal and a criminal offence.
