Father and fiancé drown during sea holiday

The community of Sasolburg was shaken this morning by the news that a well-known community leader from the town, Mr. Johann Griessel (56), drowned in the sea yesterday afternoon. His daughter Jenney’s fiance, Colin Schreuder, also drowned when he tried to save Mr. Saving Griessel and Jenney from a sea current. The incident took place near uMzumbe Beach on the Natal South Coast, where the family was holidaying.

Vaalweekblad learns that Mr. Griessel and Jenney (26) were swimming in the sea yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, October 3) when Jenney was swept away by a current.

She called out to her father, but he too was pulled deeper by the current. Colin hurried in to try and help them. Jenney was able to get out but the two men were pulled in even further and drowned.

Mr. Griessel was a founding member and chairman of Sasolburg’s Community Policing Forum. A spokesperson for CPF Sasolburg says he led the team of patrollers for more than 12 years and played a major role in helping to combat crime in the town.

“He was well known in the community of Sasolburg and never shied away from helping or assisting anyone. The death of Johann and Colin is deeply mourned by his wife, Charissa Griessel, his children, grandchildren, the families of both men, the CPF Sasolburg Patrollers, friends and the community,” says the spokesperson.

* The families of the deceased are still broken after yesterday’s events. Vaalweekblad will only be able to speak to the next of kin later. A more complete report with more facts will be published in Friday’s edition of Vaalweekblad.