VANDERBIJLPARK. – Members of the congregation looked on as two priests were swallowed by the Vaal River on Saturday.
The incident happened off Spider Valley at Dr Mario Milani Drive.
The priests who were both 20 years old, Lungile Babalo Fulunini of the Methodist Christian Church in SA, a Grade 11 learner at Tsolo Secondary School in Bophelong and Luyanda Makita Fulunini of the New Naledi Apostolic Christian Church of SA who had completed Grade 12 at Bophelong High School were presiding over a baptism at the Vaal River on Saturday when they were swallowed by the river.
It is said that the duo had waded into the river to first ‘bless’ the water in preparation for the baptisim of an elderly person. Some of those in attendance said they were told not to look because the two priests were thought to be communicating with “the ancestors” below the water of the river during the incident. The two were requested to conduct the baptism because the assigned priest did not arrive. As members of the congregation were singing hymns, a cousin to one of the deceased, Thandiwe Fulunini (22) realised that something had gone terribly wrong.
Thandiwe saw two hands waving, followed by a hat. “I knew that something was wrong. I could not just watch while nobody did anything. I ran along the road to call Police for help.”
By the time the Police Water Wing arrived, it was too little too late.
Luyanda was reportedly a qualified priest and how the tragedy happened could not be officially confirmed.
Police have opened an inquest. Police Spokesperson Captain Fikile Funda warns members of the community that the Vaal River is very dangerous.The deceased will be laid to rest on Saturday in Bophelong.
lazarus.dithagiso@media24.com
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