Drowning believed to be suicide

COMMUNITY members of the Ghetto area in Bhekuzulu are still in shock following the tragic suicide of a 19-year old female in the area.

According to branch chairperson and ANC candidate of Ward 13 Mkhanyiseli Mhlongo this young woman drowned herself in a dam across the street from ghetto.

“It is a great tragedy and terrible loss, my condolences go out to the family,” said Mhlongo.

It is alleged that this young woman had spent the weekend over at her boyfriend’s home and was reluctant to return home after a friend alerted her that her parents were aware of her whereabouts and had said that they would deal with her when she returned home.

A person that was walking near the dam discovered her lifeless body and they alerted her family.

According to Mr Mhlongo, this is the fifth person to drown at this dam.

“In other occasions it was children who went to this dam either to swim or to fetch water. As the water is set to be shut down in the coming weeks it is with great sadness that as a community we are praying that our children will not be among those counted as having drowned there,” he said.

A few years ago, the community members living near the dam approached the municipality to raise concern regarding the issue of children drowning in this dam. The municipality is said to have informed them that there was nothing they could do about the dam as it was on a piece of land that belonged to Transnet.

Although Jojo tanks and water tankers have been assigned for the different areas in Bhekuzulu, these community members say that it is still highly likely that children will attempt to fetch water at this dam as the tanks are sometimes not refilled for days.