SAPS divers recover five bodies, one firearm in a week of water incidents
The SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services responded to multiple water-related incidents across Gauteng between June 17 and 22, recovering five bodies and a firearm during various search and rescue operations.
SAPS divers from the Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) responded to several water-related incidents across the province, recovering five bodies and one firearm between June 17 and 22.
On June 17, Johannesburg WPDS divers recovered a badly decomposed male body from a sewage-infested, inaccessible marshland in Naturena, Mondeor. The body was handed to the Mondeor SAPS for investigation.
On June 20, Ekurhuleni WPDS divers recovered two boys, aged 10 and 11, at a depth of about 2m, who had drowned in a flooded excavation site on the corner of Nala and Tonkmeter streets, Duduza. Children reportedly use the area for swimming. The Duduza SAPS is leading the investigation.
ALSO READ: Gauteng water police recover three bodies and rescue two
On June 21, Sedibeng WPDS officers acted on reports of illegal fishing at the Loch Vaal Dam, confiscating two large nets, a canoe, about 80 live fish and 60 dead fish.
Also on June 21, Tshwane WPDS members responded to an incident on Moloto Road in Kameeldrift, where a vehicle had rolled into a marshland.
The driver was found deceased inside the vehicle upon the team’s arrival. A search of the area with K9 Search and Rescue found no additional victims.
On June 22, while on standby for a canoe race from the Emerald Casino to Parys, Sedibeng divers did a 100-minute dive at Blougat, Spider Valley, Vereeniging, recovering a rusted pistol from a submerged hole. Investigations into its origin and potential criminal links are ongoing.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Water Police take training to the deep blue sea
That same day, Johannesburg divers recovered the body of a 37-year-old man from the Jukskei River at Shakespeare Park, Sandringham.
He was reported missing the day before. The body was handed to the Sandringham SAPS for further investigation.
Inquest dockets were opened in all cases, and investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest SAPS station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
