Rescue vehicles on scene in Soweto. Picture: Facebook / City of Joburg EMS
A Saturday afternoon swim in Soweto ended in tragedy.
Police retrieved the body of a 13-year-old boy on Sunday morning after he went missing the previous afternoon.
The child’s body was found in the Power Park Dam, just off Chris Hani Road in Orlando.
The boy had been playing in the dam near the old cooling towers in Soweto with his friends.
A case of suspected drowning was opened at a nearby police station, with the police and municipal aquatic rescue teams searching until 9pm on Saturday night.
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The teams returned in the morning, where they made their unfortunate discovery.
“Spring time is here and the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services urges residents to please safeguard children during this season,” stated Cojems spokesperson Xolile Khumalo.
“Please ensure that children stay away from abandoned buildings that are submerged in water and refrain from swimming in dams and lakes,” Khumalo concluded
Police issued a set of safety tips for parents and children and adults to adhere to in the coming months.
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