Limpopo SAPS search and rescue divers brave flooding waters to recover drowning victims

LIMPOPO – Search and Rescue operations are still underway for five people who were swept away by flooding waters in the province.

Among the victims who are missing is a 14-year-old boy who drowned at Ga-Mochemi village in the Senwabarwana Policing area outside Polokwane, on Friday, 12 February, according to police reports.

In a statement, Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe warned residents to refrain from crossing or swimming in flooded rivers, streams and dams.

“Several people, aged between eight and seventy three, have lost their lives in drowning incidents in the Vhembe, Waterberg, Sekhukhune and Capricorn Districts, since the beginning of the rainy season.”

“Police are continuously receiving calls and reports of people who have been swept away by the flooded rivers, streams and dams and the Saps Water-Wing (divers) are hard at work to retrieve all the drowned victims.”

Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has called upon all community structures including the Tribal Authorities and members of the community in general, to work with the police in preventing these type of incidents from occurring.

“With schools reopening parents are urged to keep their children safe and avoid unnecessary trips when it is raining heavily. Rivers, dams and streams are still flooded and members of the community are advised to be vigilant and extremely cautious when crossing the low level bridges especially in cases where the bridge is covered by the flowing water. Children must refrain from swimming in the dams and rivers unsupervised,” he concluded.