SAPS divers from the Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were deployed to the Modderfontein Reserve where an alleged illegal fisherman had possibly drowned.

Kempton Express reports that on July 17, it was alleged that the victim was dropping nets from a canoe during the night and never returned. WPDS went to search for the man last week.

According to SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin, the members were shown where the nets were visible. They deployed a vessel with WPDS and two K9 dogs to comb the area and identified gases released from a submerged body.

Giblin says that before any underwater search could commence, the members removed the net for the divers’ safety.

“As the net was reeled in with a large quantity of live fish still entrapped, the members neared the end of the 400m length to find the victim’s body also entrapped in the netting,” says Giblin.

“The body was handed to the Sebenza detective on the scene, and a family member immediately identified the 45-year-old victim.”

In other incidents, three unknown victims were recovered in separate incidents in Sedibeng, Vereeniging, on July 17; in Tshwane at the Bon Accord Dam on July 19; and in Johannesburg at a Turfontein quarry on July 21.

Inquest dockets for these cases are under investigation by the local SAPS stations.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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