Two congregants drown during baptismal ritual in Limpopo river

Limpopo police have opened inquests after two baptismal candidates drowned in the Masetheko Dam in Limpopo.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi said the duo died during a baptism ceremony conducted by a pastor in the dam on Sunday.

“A pastor was reportedly busy conducting a baptismal ritual in the said dam when four people who were to be baptised fell into the dam. One of them managed to swim out, the other, a woman, was rescued and the remaining two drowned.

“The two bodies were retrieved by divers from the SAPS search and rescue unit on the same day,” said Seabi.

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The deceased were identified as Elvis Ramakgaphola, 21, and Michael Rampa, 29, of Mohodi Ga Manthata village.

Meanwhile, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe has urged the community to be careful and wary when using dams and rivers for any purpose, including religious activities.

This comes after a baptismal ritual in the Mogol River in Lephalale last week, in which a pastor and a church member drowned during the process of baptism.

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