Boy (14) drowns in river in eMbalenhle
Always make sure that your child is being supervised by a responsible adult while swimming or playing with or around water.
Divers recovered the body of Siphesihle van Rooyen (14) from the river next to Ext 5 in eMbalenhle on January 5.
The teen was part of a group of boys from Ext 1 who allegedly went to get some branches from a tree next to the river.
Because the day was hot, they decided to cool down in the water.
When Siphesihle drowned, the other boys ran home to report it to their parents.
The eMbalenhle police were informed and the Mpumalanga Inland Water Police and Delta One Rescue Diving were summoned. Family members identified the body on the scene.
According to the Van Rooyen family, Siphesihle, a learner at Basizeni School for children with special educational needs, was helping his grandmother in the garden when his friends came to get him to play soccer.
His grandmother told the boys Siphesihle will follow them after finishing his chores, but they decided to wait. When his granny went into the house, Siphesihle ran off with his friends.
A family member told the newspaper that the police informed them of the drowning. An inquest docket was opened.
The eMbalenhle community blames the drowning on the municipality and private institutions for their lack of providing recreational facilities such as a swimming pool and parks.
This is what they have to say on Facebook:
Mafa Máfia Mathibela: I blame our leaders and Sasol for closing the swimming pool. This is easily avoidable. Rivers and dams are dangerous if you don’t know how to swim.
Stheh Mma Melloh Mkholo: Vusi Maseko, can you guys please ask the municipality to fence the river because many lives are at stake here? Some children pass by that river to go to school. Please this is so painful in an unexplained way.
Phindile KaMasobode: No parks nothing to entertain our children and youth. RIP boy, my condolences to the family.
Lekula Molelengoane: Why is the dam not fenced?
Pontsho Kutumela: May his soul RIP. Where can our children learn how to swim?
Police in Mpumalanga previously gave the following vital water safety tips:
• Never swim alone. Use the buddy system and maintain eye contact.
• Ensure that the water depths are appropriate for swimming and diving
• Children should be constantly supervised near water, even during bathing time.
• Empty baths, basins and sinks immediately after use.
• Never leave children (even those who can swim) unattended in, around or near pools or water sources – not even for a few moments.
• Keep pool areas locked and secure when not in use.
• Swim only in supervised and approved areas.
• Enforce water safety rules. No running, pushing or dunking.
• Take all toys out of the pool when not swimming so that children will not be tempted to go after the toys.
• Learn CPR and water rescue techniques and always have emergency numbers at hand.
Safety tips around rivers
• Never cross overflowing rivers
• Do not stand on an overhanging bank.
• Before entering the water, check for the presence and strength of a current.
• If caught in a fast river current, float feet first to absorb any impact with the feet and legs, protecting the head and body from serious injury.
• Extreme care should always be taken when entering rivers because of their changeable nature.
