An increase in people drowning raises concern
In December 2018, it was reported that there were 18 people who drowned and all bodies were recovered, while the same number of people who drowned was also reported from January to date, some were recovered except for two.
The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, is concerned about the extremely high number of people killed as a result of drowning in the province.
According to the SAPS, there is a possibility that the two missing bodies may have been eaten by crocodiles, since most rivers are infested with these reptiles in the region.
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Among those who drowned, are four boys aged between eight and 12 were swimming at Driekoppies Dam in the Nkomazi area, when two of them drowned.
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“The matter was reported to the police at Schoemansdal, but it was impossible to launch a search for the bodies on the same day as it was already late and dark. Police divers went to the scene the following morning and their bodies were retrieved. It happened on Sunday February 03 around 14:00.
On January 31 in Matsulu a nine-year-old boy is alleged to have drowned in the Crocodile River, police divers are still searching for the body.
On Friday January 11, a 25-year-old man drowned at Nkomazi River, Tjakastad near Badplaas. Police divers were summoned to the scene but could not get into the river as it was too flooded.
The following day they started their search only to find the body after eight days, even then the partially decomposed upper part was retrieved. It is suspected that crocodiles may have eaten the other part.
“We plead with parents to keep an eye on their children especially after heavy rains that have burst river and streams banks.
Everyone needs to exercise caution, including motorists, when encountering overflowing streams,” said Zuma.
