Polokwane pool drowning raises questions
Transparency concerns follow a drowning at Polokwane’s Burger Street pool, confirmed weeks later as the facility remains closed.
POLOKWANE – Questions are mounting over transparency after a young man drowned at the municipal swimming pool in Burger Street on January 7, with the municipality only confirming the incident after enquiries were raised weeks later.
Pool closed without explanation
The pool has been closed to the public since January 16, but no public announcement explaining the closure or the circumstances surrounding the death was issued at the time. The matter is reportedly under investigation.
DA councillor for Ward 22, Mariëtte Pretorius, said she attempted to conduct an oversight visit last Thursday after learning that the facility had been closed for more than two weeks.
Access was denied by security guards, and she waited outside the premises while trying to find an official who could authorise entry.
“The fact that the relevant portfolio committee and the ward councillor were not informed raises serious concerns about transparency and communication,” Pretorius said.
She added that the public had a right to know why the facility was closed, what led to the death, which officials were on duty at the time and whether qualified lifeguards were present.
“Residents, especially parents, must be confident that the facility is safe,” she said.
Municipality confirms investigation underway
Following enquiries, the municipality’s manager for sport and recreation, Mantlako Sebaka, confirmed that the pool had been closed pending an investigation. He was unable to explain why the facility was closed more than a week after the incident, nor when it would reopen.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala later confirmed the incident.
“A tragic incident occurred on January 7, 2026 at the town pool in Burger Street when a young man from Ga-Machaba in the Blouberg area drowned in the diving pool. Emergency medical services were called, but the victim was declared dead at the scene.”
Selala stated that municipal lifeguards were on duty on the day of the incident, but did not clarify whether they were at their posts at the time of the drowning.
He said the municipality had extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
Police comment still outstanding
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received from the police.
