Gauteng water police recover four bodies
Accidents often stem from victims being swept away by rapid currents.
With summer here and the rainy season around the corner, the SAPS reminded community members about the dangers of rivers, dams and other bodies of water.
This warning comes after the SAPS Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) recently recovered four bodies and a foetus.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin, the divers found the bodies between October 12 and 21.
They found the first body on October 12 when Sedibeng members were deployed to the Vaal River, Vereeniging, to attend a drowning scene at Spider Valley.
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After a 92-minute dive, the drowned body of the victim, who had reportedly been swimming earlier, was recovered and handed to the Vereeniging SAPS for investigation.
Giblin said on the evening of October 15, the Vereeniging SAPS requested assistance after a man allegedly jumped from the FW de Klerk Bridge into the Vaal River.
“The scene was identified. Because of severe storms, operations commenced first thing on October 16,” said Giblin.
With the help of the Johannesburg WPDS, members searched the area on both sides of the river’s banks.
“No victim was found after conducting a dive of 140 minutes up to a depth of 9m,” said Giblin.
On October 17, the Johannesburg members responded to a suspected drowning at Lehae near the Golden Highway, Lenasia South.
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“They recovered the body of a man aged about 40 entangled in a fishing net and handed it to the Lenasia SAPS,” said Giblin.
On the same day, Ekurhuleni members attended an all-day operation for a complaint about illegal fishing nets at Boschkop, Vaal Dam, with the Vaal Marina SAPS and the Green Scorpions.
“They recovered six illegal nets and returned many live fish to the dam. The nets and rotten fish were destroyed on site, while an investigation into the matter will continue in collaboration with the Green Scorpions.
“The public is reminded that fishing with nets is dangerous, illegal and a criminal offence,” said Giblin.
On October 18, the Tshwane members attended an Erasmia scene where they recovered the body of an unknown male in an advanced stage of decomposition from the Hennops River. They handed the body to the Erasmia SAPS members for further investigation.
The following day, on October 19, while responding to a scene in the Vaal River near the R59, members recovered the body of a man.
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“The body was handed to the Vereeniging SAPS for investigation and possible link to the victim who jumped off the bridge,” said Giblin.
On the evening of October 21, the Ekurhuleni WPDS assisted the Rabie Ridge SAPS with a complaint that led to the recovery of a foetus from a sewerage stream.
“The concealment of birth is an offence. All leads will be followed up,” said Giblin.
He said inquest dockets are being investigated.
Individuals with information about these incidents are urged to call the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Giblin said that with the start of the Safer Festive Season campaign and these recent incidents, the dangers of rivers and dams require continued attention.
“With warm weather, the rainy season and school holidays prevailing, heightened awareness is crucial to mitigate accidents. Precautionary measures are emphasised to avert needless loss of life,” said Giblin.
He said those venturing onto dams, rivers or waters for any activity should do so only with a life jacket. Parents of young children near open waters should teach them about the dangers and ensure constant supervision.
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“This information to parents, guardians or caregivers cannot be emphasised enough, and attention must be drawn to this.”
Giblin said people who plan to cross rivers must do so only at dedicated bridges.
“Accidents often stem from victims being swept away by rapid currents. Low-lying bridges should be avoided when there is heavy rain and flooding.”
Giblin said those engaging in baptism rituals should be aware of risks, considering the potential contamination of Gauteng rivers, like the Klip and the Juksei rivers, with sewage and chemicals, which pose health hazards and cause many drownings stemming from these activities.
“Divers and their equipment undergo a meticulous decontamination process after emerging from polluted waters, emphasising the health risks for those inadvertently exposing themselves to these waters,” said Giblin.
He urged witnesses to water-related incidents to provide multiple landmarks to pinpoint the location for immediate search and rescue efforts.
