Body of a man found in Westdene Dam
Police divers pulled the man out from the dam but he was found deceased.
It was around 13:00 when a body covered in weeds, discarded fishing wire and sludge was pulled out of the Westdene Dam only five metres from the shore.
A nearby restaurant Emzini overlooking the dam has a private security guard on duty at all times and noticed a commotion in the water on April 3. He immediately called for help.
Owner of Emzini Richard Griffin said, “We called Tau Security and other emergency service responders arrived but sadly it was too late to save the life of the man.”
Tau Security said, “We rushed to the dam. From what we understand, the man went into the water to retrieve a fishing line or maybe a fish.”
The officer who wishes not to be named said he was told the man struggled to resurface after becoming entangled in weeds and discarded fishing gut while in the water. “His friend went in after him to try and help him but swam back to the embankment after he became concerned for his safety.”
“ER24 and city divers arrived to retrieve the body but there was nothing anyone could do because so much time had passed since the man stopped struggling.”
The park was closed and the police asked an uncle to identify the deceased.
Griffin said there were a couple of men nearby who were visibly intoxicated. “There is no way of knowing now whether the man was with them or not, or if he was under the influence of alcohol when he drowned but people were drinking at the dam which is always dangerous.”
Tau Security said they did not see any bottles near the scene.
Griffin added fishing was not supposed to be an activity that people engaged in at the dam. “The sludge and out-of-control plant growth in the water make it perilous for people to be in or near. Just don’t go in the dam, ever because a catastrophe can strike at any time as in this case, which is an absolute tragedy.”
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Emergency Services and the police have been contacted for comment. Updates will be posted as they come in.
Ward 69 councillor Genevieve Sherman said she had no information on the incident at the time of going to press.
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