Centurion woman found dead inside a car in Hartbeespoort dam

A body found inside a car at Hartbeespoort dam on Saturday has been confirmed as Phopolo Josina Matsepa from Centurion.

 

The 39-year-old woman was reported missing at the Lyttelton police station on Saturday by her husband, said North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh.

 

“She was last seen on Friday morning by her husband. When she didn’t return home that night, the husband reported her missing,” she said.

 

Myburgh said Matsepa was later found dead inside her vehicle after the vehicle went into the water.

 

In a statement, NSRI Hartbeespoort dam spokesperson Craig Lambinon said multiple people saw a vehicle semi-submerged in the dam, between the dam wall and the snake park.

 

The NSRI Hartbeespoort dam duty crew was activated and joined by the police and HEMS (Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services).

 

“On arrival at the scene, NSRI rescue swimmers and police divers free dived under the wreck where the body of a female, believed to be aged 39, from Gauteng, was recovered from the vehicle.

 

“The female was taken to the shore where she was declared deceased by HEMS paramedics,” he said.

 

Lambinon said there were fears that children may have been inside the car when toys were found inside.

 

“A search commenced for any remaining persons but it was later discovered that the female had been alone in the vehicle. It remains unclear how or when the vehicle went into the water,” he said.

 

Police have opened an inquest docket.