Man drowns, another goes missing during ritual
“Both men went into the river, then the pastor slipped and was swept away by the heavy current."
A 43-year-old man drowned in the Blesbokspruit in Nigel on Sunday.
According to witnesses, the man came to the river with his pastor to perform a ritual at the river, just behind the John Voster Stadium.
“Both men went into the river, then the pastor slipped and was swept away by the heavy current.
“In an attempt to rescue the pastor, the man jumped into the water and he was also swept away, explained Sgt Neliswa Dwaba, communications officer of the Nigel SAPS.
Also read: Drowning deaths in South Africa: do the numbers add up?
Police divers were called to the scene and the body of the male was recovered about 2km away.
He was declared dead on scene.
“The pastor is still missing and is being sought by the police search and rescue unit.
“Police wish to warn the community around Nigel to avoid going into streams, especially during the rainy season, because the water current is heavy, and it’s generally not safe,” added Dwaba.
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