From Friday 01 March to Thursday 07 March 2024, divers from the South African Police Service Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services were deployed to four separate incidents in Gauteng, which resulted in the recovery of four bodies.
On Friday evening, 08 March 2024, members of Ekurhuleni WPDS responded to a scene in Brackendowns where a young boy allegedly drowned at an excavation site filled with water. Divers managed to recover the young victim’s body around midnight.
Sunday afternoon again saw Ekurhuleni called to a scene in Tsakane where boys were swimming the day before in a dam and one had presumably drowned. Assisted by Johannesburg and K9 #SearchAndRescue, the victim’s body was recovered after a K9 dog identified an area in the dam for the divers to search.
In the very early hours of Monday morning, Johannesburg members recovered a severely decomposed body from the river at Lombardy East and the scene was handed over to detectives.
Late Wednesday afternoon saw Ekurhuleni members deployed to Katlehong where a body was visible stuck on rocks in the
Natalspruit River. Members recovered the body of an unknown adult female which was handed over to members from Katlehong SAPS.
Inquest dockets for these cases are currently under investigation. Individuals with information regarding these incidents are encouraged to contact the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Precautionary measures are continually emphasized to avert needless loss of life and individuals are advised to heed the warnings regarding the dangers of floodwaters and low water bridges. Communities need to understand that crossing rivers at any time is a risk as one can easily lose your footing on slippery rocks which can have dangerous consequences.
Witnesses to water-related incidents are urged to provide multiple landmarks to pinpoint locations for immediate search and rescue efforts.