Man looking for golf balls drowns in Hennops River
A friend reportedly warned the man against going to the other side of the river because it was too deep and the bank too steep.
A man reportedly fell into and drowned in the Hennops River on Friday while looking for golf balls, according to the Wierdabrug police.
“The man’s body was found near Sierra Road by his friend,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Divine Nkuna.
“The deceased’s friend found his body and alerted the police. The friend claims that they were out looking for golf balls when he fell into the river.”
Police have opened an inquest.
According to police, the friend warned the man against going to the other side of the river because it was too deep and the bank too steep.
Initially, it was thought that the men were church people who came to the river to be baptised.
“The area is surrounded by a golf course, so the men were collecting balls to sell back to golf players,” Nkuna said.
The tragic incident came only weeks after Tshwane emergency services warned residents to stay away from all low-lying bridges during the rainy season.
Emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said residents should take note of the weather and signs of approaching or developing thunderstorms such as gathering clouds, darkening skies or flashes of lightning.
Early last year during the rainy season, local emergency services recovered the body of a body that was swept away by stormwaters.
However, it was later found that the man drowned in Ekurhuleni.
At the time, Mabaso said although the victim’s body was found in Tshwane, he officially went missing in Ekurhuleni.
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