Update: Actor’s death to be investigated after tragic fall in Drakensberg

Safety protocol investigations are currently underway into the death of SA actor Odwa Shweni after KZN police said there are allegations concerning lack of safety procedures.

39-year-old Shweni, who was from Centurion, fell to his death last week Thursday during a movie rehearsal in the Drakensberg at Monks Cowl.

Durban police spokesman Colonel Thulani Zwane said the actor appeared to have slipped and fell into the river at around 5.30pm.

The waterfall was at full flow due to recent rains, said a tour guide from the area.

Update Story: Update: Actor to be laid to rest in Eastern Cape after tragic fall in the Drakensberg

The actor fell over 40 metres to the bottom of the waterfall, which has rocks and a small pool of water.

Also read: Update: Name of actor released after tragic fall in the Drakensberg

Also read: Actor plummets to his death from waterfall while filming movie in the Drakensberg

Also read: Update: Actor plummets to his death from waterfall while filming movie in the Drakensberg

His body was recovered from a pool below on Friday morning (April 13).

“Police and rescue workers were unable to look for him on Thursday evening, as it was too dangerous and the search continued the following day,” said Zwane.

The deputy chairperson for the SA Guild of Actors, Adrian Galley, said Shweni’s death is a huge loss for the film industry.

He also said that the SA Guild of Actors will pursue the relevant departments to intervene to determine the lack of safety during the film rehearsal.

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