Body recovered from Roodekrans waterfall
At approximately 9.50am, K9 Search and Rescue were called to the park after one of the rangers noticed abandoned clothes and a backpack near the waterfall.
The Manie Mulder Adventure Park is a sight to behold; gorgeous hiking trails, stunning flora, unique animals, and a stream with a beautiful waterfall. Unfortunately, sometimes with beauty there is tragedy.
The clear waters of the park claimed another life on Saturday, 10 October. At approximately 9.50am, K9 Search and Rescue were called to the park after one of the rangers noticed abandoned clothes and a backpack near the waterfall. While no one wanted to jump to conclusions, the waterfall has been known to be a hotspot of tragedy and has been the place of several drownings.
A search was conducted by the K9 unit and less than an hour after the call was received, the divers recovered the body of an unknown, African male. City of Johannesburg EMS was on scene to assist with the rescue operation, and as were representatives of CoJ Community Development.
Captain Mathebula, Police Communications Official for the Johannesburg West Cluster, confirmed that the man was found in a cavern 2,5 metres below the water and stated that investigations into the cause of the drowning were underway.
Andreas Oberlechner, Chairman of the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch (RNW) has been witness to many of the body recoveries that have happened at the waterfall, and while it has not been confirmed whether this was the case in the most recent recovery, Oberlechner explained the reason that many individuals drown in these waters.
He said that often, men come to the waters on a religious pilgrimage to cleanse themselves because the waters are considered holy. The victims do not realise the depth of the water, or slip from the waterfall leading to their untimely deaths. This information was confirmed by the MMC for Community Development, Councillor Margaret Arnolds, who stated that these drownings are, sadly, not a new occurrence and have been happening for the past 20 to 25 years, with over 20 incidents recorded.
Councillor Arnolds said that the City is busy with investigations as to how to further prevent these occurrences, because there are already signs, railings and general safety precautions, as well as on site security that do patrols. Conservation groups have also placed rangers at the park, but unfortunately these pilgrims seem to slip past their sights and spend nights at the waterfall.
Arnolds further stated that the City needs to be cautious with preventing the pilgrims access to the water as it would be in violation of their human rights to deny them the right to their religious practices. “I want to emphasise that all lives matter, and one death is one too many. The City is doing everything they can to investigate and implement solutions to this problem,” the MMC stated.
Arnolds shared her deepest condolences with the family of the victim on behalf of the City. She concluded her statement by saying that Community Development from CoJ will be speaking with the Mogale City Local Municipality to assist with solutions and safety measures as the Adventure Park falls on the boundary of both municipal areas and many of the pilgrims come from the Mogale City side.
Mogale City has been approached for comment, but by the time this article was published one had not been received. An update will be done once information is forthcoming.
