Search for missing Reza Saloojee continues at Vaal Dam [VIDEO]

The search continues for the Grade 12 head boy of Greenside High School in Johannesburg, who went missing at the Vaal Dam.

It is understood Reza Saloojee was on a fishing trip with his family when a strong current reportedly swept him away on Sunday afternoon.

Reza went into the water to try and retrieve some belongings when he disappeared.

Watch police divers searching for Reza Saloojee

The search is continuing for Reza Saloojee, a grade 12 head boy at Greenside High School in Johannesburg after he went missing at the Vaal Dam while on a fishing trip with his family #RezaSaloojee #VaalDam #Greenside #Police #MissingPerson Videos: Supplied @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/97XWl2EY82

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) August 13, 2024

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Search

Gauteng police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza told The Citizen that police divers were on the scene for a second day after a missing person’s case was registered.

Reza’s father Bilal Saloojee told News24 they are devastated by the incident.

“What happened was sudden. We are devastated. We are in shock. I hope we will find him soon.”

Bilal Saloojee added he was optimistic his son would be found after police divers continued their search for the 18-year-old.

“They returned early on Monday morning to continue with their search. There is a strong possibility that he had drowned, although we don’t have confirmation. We are waiting to see what happens,” said Bilal.

The search for 18-year-old Reza Saloojee will resume at first light.

Police divers are searching the Vaal Dam – not far from the Vaal Marina, where Reza disappeared on Sunday afternoon.

He went into the water to try and retrieve some of his belongings which were blown away by… pic.twitter.com/CeNg6EfqbK

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 12, 2024

Pupil deaths

Meanwhile, three primary school pupils in Gauteng died on Monday from suspected food poisoning, and one secondary school pupil died from suspected rat poison ingestion.

In a separate and “equally tragic event”, Chiloane was “deeply saddened” to have learned of the death of a grade 8 pupil from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, also on Monday.

The department said two grade 8 girl pupils allegedly ingested rat poison on the school premises during school hours.

One pupil was declared dead at the school, while the other was hospitalised.

Police are conducting an investigation.

ALSO READ: Chiloane ‘heartbroken’ after 3 pupils die from suspected food poisoning, another from rat poison

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he and his department were “heartbroken by the tragic loss of these young lives”.

The MEC also encouraged pupils to seek emotional support instead of taking their own lives.

Additional reporting by Nicholas Zaal