The Gauteng SAPS Water Police and Diving Services (WPDS) recovered the bodies of seven drowning victims from April 1 to 6.

The incidents:

• Heidelberg

A decomposing body of an unknown man was recovered in the Blesbokspruit on April 5.

• Vaal River

On April 4, WPDS officers were deployed at the lower barrage following reports that a 32-year-old man had gone missing.

The victim’s body was found on April 6, 800 meters from the Rand Water facility.

• Springs

On April 5, a 26-year-old man reportedly followed the example of a group of children who were jumping from a tree into the Vogelstruisbult Dam.

The victim drowned and his body was recovered at a depth of three meters by members of the Ekurhuleni WPDS.

• Windmill Park

Ekurhuleni WPDS members responded to an alleged drowning at an excavation site on Barry Marais Road, near the Boksburg Correctional Services facility.

According to information, a 19-year-old was swimming at the site with his girlfriend when he drowned.

Following a 30 minute dive, the victim’s body was recovered at a depth of three meters.

• Bramley

The body of an eight-year-old child was recovered from a residential pool on April 2.

• Alrode

On April 3, Ekurhuleni WPDS officers were deployed to an excavation trench in Alrode.

Six boys were reportedly swimming in the trench when one of the children drowned.

The victim’s body was recovered following a 15-minute dive at a depth of three meters.

• Soshanguve

Members of the Tshwane WPDS recovered the body of a 69-year-old man from an island in the Soutpans River on April 6.

Easter safety operations were also conducted throughout the long weekend at the Vaal Dam and river as well as Bronkhorstspruit and Roodeplaat dams.

Over the four days, WPDS officers attended to six complaints, conducted 100 vessel inspections, visited 72 resorts, issued 19 warnings, removed 11 markers left by illegal fisherman, recovered a canoe as well as six illegal nets and a trap.

Information supplied by WPDS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Grant Giblin.