Six lives lost through drowning in Mopani
Six people have drowned in the Mopani district in the last two weeks after heavy rainfall. Three of the drownings were reported in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal area.
A 59-year-old man drowned in the Selati River and two children (3 and 7) drowned when they accidentally fell into a newly dug pit toilet in Tshubje village. In a similar incident in the Greater Tzaneen municipal area, a 9-year-old also drowned when he accidentally fell into a pit in Xihoko village. In the Greater Letaba municipal area, a Grade 11 learner drowned last Sunday while swimming in the Mmaba River in Mamokgadi village.
The body of a woman aged between 28 and 35 was also found in a river in Sekhiming village. The woman’s body, believed to have drowned, was discovered after community members observed a body floating by a day before and informed nearby villages on Tuesday, February 14. Her body was retrieved by police assisted by residents in Sekhimini village and was taken to Nkhensani Hospital’s mortuary for examination by forensic pathology services.
Also read: ‘Do not deny our learners entry to class’
The Mopani District Municipality’s (MDM) executive mayor, Pule Shayi, has sent condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. “Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time as they deal with the untimely death of their loved ones. We appeal to all our people to remain vigilant, especially those living in low-lying areas as most dams are overflowing which leads to rapidly rising water in streams and rivers.
“Parents should keep watch over their children, we know that children are adventurous and can easily get into trouble if left unsupervised,” he said. MDM’s disaster management team said they remain on high alert. Members of the public can report emergencies to the centralised communication centre on 015 306 7000, 060 551 1911 or 060 551 1910.
