A dam near Pine Ridge claimed the life of a young man, shortly after he matriculated. On Wednesday, August 15, the young Nkosinathi Mokoena (22) drowned after he and a few friends went swimming.
His aunt, Ms Paulina Skhosana said that his friends went into the dam and he stood on the side, as he knew he could not swim well.
“He decided to go into the water, but in the shallow end. Shortly thereafter his friends just saw him disappear under the water. They tried to save him, but could not manage,” she said with a heavy heart.
The scene where Nkosinathi Mokoena drowned in a dam near Pine Ridge on Wednesday, August 15.
“His friends then ran home, as they live at Siyangoba, the new location in the area. They told his family what had just happened and police were dispatched to the area.”
Nkosinathi was waiting for his matric results after he wrote a supplementary.
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“He was going to receive the results next week.”
Mr Charles Steyn, chairperson of the SACCW (South African Community Crime Watch) EMS/FD and his response team was notified of the emergency. He then gathered a team and drove out to the scene. The water wing of SAPS was also activated, divers and members from the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) set out to the area.
The late Nkosinathi Mokoena (22).
Steyn explained:
“We work closely with the fire brigade and I was notified of the incident. The relevant teams were contacted and the EMS/FD team have training in various departments, where ever specialised service is needed.”
Ms Maureen Scheepers, operations co-ordinator of the SACCW said that responders went to the scene to assist with lighting up the area as the body had to be extracted in the dark. The body was retrieved shortly after 20:00.
Capt Eddie Hall, media spokesperson for the police issued a warning with summer approaching:
“We urge the community to not swim in especially dams or rivers. It is very dangerous and you are not sure what is under the water, due to bad visibility. This time of year, the water temperatures are still low, and a person could be the best swimmer but his or her body can go into shock due to the low temperatures. This could result in dying of a heart attack, amongst others.”
He added that rivers are not swimming pools and is a big no-go.
“Swimming in a river is much different to swimming in a pool. The environment and temperatures, amongst others is much different and could result in death. We advise the community to stay far away.”
The scene where Nkosinathi Mokoena drowned in a dam near Pine Ridge on Wednesday, August 15.
He also requested that when boats go out on the dam, that life jackets be worn at all times to prevent drownings. He added that this includes people skiing and being on the dam for any reason.
Skhosana concluded by saying that the late Nkosinathi was a good person who always laughed and was friendly to everyone he spoke to. His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 25 at Kromdraai, at 11:00.
It was requested from the municipality that a fence should be erected around this dam. Mr Lebohang Mofokeng, media spokesperson for the municipality said that all areas identified as a disaster area, will advice council accordingly as to what precautious measures should be applied, by the unit responsible.
