Mpumalanga police divers have recovered the body of a woman from a stream in Msholozi, White River, adding to the province’s grim toll of 16 flood-related drownings since the beginning of the year.

This is the same stream in which a two-year-old boy, Sibusiso Mnisi, drowned on Tuesday, January 13.

Captain Pottie Potgieter of the police diving unit confirmed that the body of the woman, identified as Esther Mathenjwa (45), was recovered this morning, Thursday, January 15, at about 08:15.

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“She was swept away on Wednesday evening, January 14, at about 20:00, when she attempted to cross the stream,” Potgieter told Lowvelder.

Esther Mathenjhwa. > Photo: Supplied 

A community member who participated in the search shortly after she was swept away said Mathenjwa had been returning from work when the incident occurred.

We searched for her until around 23:00, when we were forced to call off the search because of heavy rainfall,” said the community member, who opted to remain anonymous.

Mathenjwa, who worked at a bakery, is survived by her husband and three children.

Police have opened an inquest into the matter, while investigations into the drowning of the toddler earlier this week are ongoing.

The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He further urged community members to exercise extreme caution during the current wet weather conditions, as streams, rivers and dams are overflowing and pose serious danger.