WEILERS FARM – De Deur police are investigating the death of a 14-year-old after he allegedly drowned in Doornkuil dam, Weilers Farm.

This after Samkelo Nobanda was last seen with friends on Saturday afternoon, April 15.

Following his disappearance, immediate family members went to report him missing at a local copshop the next day, Sunday, where a preliminary investigation was conducted with no success.

Further investigations were conducted as a follow-up, and police learned that the Grade 8 pupil at Sakhisizwe High School was last seen heading to a nearby dam when he never returned.

On Tuesday, April 18, the Sedibeng Water Wing unit was called to the scene, upon their investigation at the dam, the divers then recovered the lifeless body of Samkelo.

Sedibeng cluster police spokeswoman Sergeant Gertrude Makhale said an inquest docket was opened.

“On Tuesday at about 10:20 De Deur police members were following information of a missing teenager of Weilers Farm Extension 3. On the arrival, our water wing members took a dive into the dam, where they recovered the body of the 14 years old boy, a Grade 8 learner at Sakhisizwe High School”.

“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. De Deur police registered an inquest docket for further investigation,” Makhale said.

Acting Sedibeng Police Commissioner Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu urged parents to stop their children from swimming in local dams.

“We plead with the community of Weilers farm to talk to their children to stay away from swimming in the dam,” he said.

Nkhwashu has since sent his condolences to the family and friends of Samkelo and the community of Weilers Farm.