Teen boy (15) drowns in Natalspruit river

According to Capt Mega Ndobe, media spokesperson for the SAPS Kathorus Cluster, the police received information that the teenager was swimming with three friends in the Natalspruit, Kathorus Mail reports.

The mother of the dead boy, who was too traumatised to speak with the media, told police she only heard about her son’s drowning at around 3.30pm that day.

She immediately notified the Katlehong police, who summoned SAPS divers who worked late into the night before abandoning their search until the following morning.

On the morning of November 26, divers continued their search and retrieved the boy’s body at around 9.25am. The boy was a Grade Seven learner at Abram Hlope Primary School in Moleleki Extension Two.

Ndobe told Kathorus Mail police have been pleading with parents in the area to warn their children about the dangers of swimming in the river. The depth of the river is estimated to be three metres in some parts.

“We have issued numerous warnings through local radio station, urging both parents and children to stay away from the river,” explained Ndobe, who added that parents should ensure they know where their children are at all times to avoid tragedies like this.

Ndobe said the police would open an inquest docket to investigate the matter.