Johannesburg Emergency Service Search and Rescue team combs the Jukskei river near Grayston drive in Sandton for the recovery of a baby that was washed away off its mothers back during flooding recently, 11 December 2022. Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen
A three-month-old baby is among those still missing more than a week after the deadly Jukskei baptism disaster.
A group of churchgoers were swept away in a flash flood last weekend when they were overwhelmed by the raging water during heavy downpours.
Emergency services have been working around the clock to find those reported missing, including the baby.
So far, 15 bodies have been recovered, while the church leader who presided over the baptism and survived the tragedy with the help of his congregants is still reportedly missing.
Kind Kupe, a Zimbabwean national also known as Mvundla, was reportedly last seen in Alexandra on Saturday.
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Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said they have yet to locate the body of the missing baby.
“The team conducted the search of the three-month-old baby along Katherine and Grayston Drive. They completed the search around 6pm on Sunday evening.
“There are no new developments to report on. We will communicate further as to whether the search carries on this morning,” Khumalo said.
Last week, the South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) Bishop Marothi Mashashane said government was to blame for the Jukskei River deaths.
“The SANCF learned with disappointment the loss of lives as reported, and has government to blame.
“Our government is careless about the lives of the poor, why is this continuing year in and year out – can we really call it a baptism?,” he said.
Mashashane said there were several reasons why informal settlements existed.
He said they were aware of some churches performing rituals in rivers.
“It’s dangerous. We have been calling for churches to be regulated. Unless it is properly regulated, we will continue to see these drownings,” he said.
Additonal reporting by Marizka Coetzer.
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