
The SAPS Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) recovered 28 bodies across Gauteng from December 1 to January 19 as part of the unit’s Safer Festive Season campaign.
WPDS spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin explained that during the festive season, members were deployed daily to the Bronkhorstpruit and Roodeplaat dams and Vaal Dam and River while remaining on standby to help with any reported drownings across the province.
“Officers’ duties comprise vehicle patrols, vessel patrols on the waters, vessel inspections and checks, resort visits and removing illegal items like fishing nets,” he said.
“These duties continue throughout the festive season and well into the New Year to prevent lawlessness.”
The recent operations were largely for rescue, recovery and diving.
“Heavy rains and flooding contributed to members carrying out 10 diving recovery operations, 17 rescue and recovery operations, with six victims rescued and, sadly, 17 victims’ bodies being recovered,” said Giblin.
“These incidents took place at the Vaal Dam and River, Klip River, the Spaarwater Dam, Sebokeng, Orange Farm, Tembisa, Atteridgeville, Centurion, the Hennops River,
Rietspruit, Rooikraal, the Klein Jukskei in Douglasdale and Carletonville.”
During the festive period, Giblin said they did more than 17 vessel patrols, 193 resort visits and 196 vessel checks.
“Twelve complaints were also attended, 67 warnings were issued, and 26 illegal fishing markers were removed. Hundreds of metres of illegal fishing nets were also removed.”
Spilling into January, units recovered a further 11 bodies, and two active scenes are under investigation.
“The WPDS units regularly collaborate with the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue, SAPS Air Wing and Drone Unit as well as other Gauteng emergency services,” he said.
“These collaborations play a crucial role in the extensive efforts, as demonstrated in the recent Klein Jukskei, Douglasdale, incident, where the body of a missing child was recovered in December.
“These operations again proved effective in the same area as well as Tedstoneville, Elsburg, when the bodies of two men, reportedly swept away by raging water, were successfully recovered.”
In light of these recent incidents, Giblin again highlighted the inherent dangers of rivers and dams.
“The rainy season is upon us, and community members are again urged to use dedicated bridges when crossing rivers and streams,” he said.
“Accidents often stem from victims being swept away by rapid currents. Those doing baptism rituals should be cognizant of the associated risks, considering the potential contamination of Gauteng rivers like Klip River and Juksei, with sewage and chemicals posing health hazards.”
Giblin says strict precautionary measures should always be in place when engaging in recreational activities on or near the province’s water bodies.
“Life jackets must always be worn when venturing onto dams or rivers, and parents should actively educate their children about water safety. There is, however, no substitute for supervision.”
What to do for a suspected drowning:
• Immediately contact law enforcement for help;
• Provide the WPSD members with multiple landmarks to pinpoint locations where immediate search and rescue efforts can begin;
• Do not attempt water rescues if you are not a strong swimmer or do not have lifesaving implements.
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