Divers from the Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) responded to several water-related incidents across the province, recovering four bodies between October 11 and 12.

On October 11 at noon, Johannesburg members were called to a gruesome scene in Doornkop. A badly decomposed body was recovered from the contaminated Wonderfontein Spruit near Cook 1 mine. The body had been tied with steel wire to a concrete slab.

Later that afternoon, Ekurhuleni members responded to a small dam near Arnison Road in Labore, Tsakane. Allegedly, several small children were swimming when a seven-year-old boy drowned.

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Members were shown the suspected location and activated a pendulum search, which led them to recover the victim at a depth of 2m after a short dive.

That evening, Sedibeng members responded to a missing child report in Enerdale. A three-year-old boy was missing after playing in the streets in the afternoon.

A young witness alleged that they had gone swimming in a small dam, felt something under the water, and ran away. Members searched the dam and recovered the boy’s body in shallow water.

On October 12 at noon, Sedibeng members were called to a quarry dam in Walkerville, where a group of people had attended a social gathering at the dam the night prior.

A cellphone and shoes belonging to a 30-year-old man who went missing during the event were found on the shore.

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A pendulum search from the suspected entry point saw members recover the victim at a depth of 6m after a 94-minute dive.
All cases are under investigation by local SAPS stations.

Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“In the wake of the Safer Festive Season campaign and these ongoing incidents, the inherent dangers of rivers and dams demand continued attention. With warm weather, the rainy season and school holidays approaching, heightened awareness is crucial to prevent accidents,” said the unit’s spokesperson, Warrant Officer Grant Giblin.

“Precautionary measures are essential to avert needless loss of life. Individuals venturing into dams, rivers, or other bodies of water should always wear a life jacket,” he said.

“Parents of young children near open water must teach them the dangers and ensure constant supervision. This message to parents, guardians, or caregivers cannot be emphasised enough,” added Giblin.

Giblin urged individuals to use only designated bridges when crossing rivers, as many drownings occur when strong currents sweep people away. He also warned against using low-water bridges during heavy rain or flooding.

He added that those participating in baptism rituals should be aware of the risks, noting that many Gauteng rivers, including the Klip and the Jukskei rivers, are contaminated with sewage and chemicals, posing serious health hazards and contributing to drownings.

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“A meticulous decontamination process is carried out for divers and their equipment after operating in polluted waters, highlighting the health risks for anyone exposed to these conditions,” said Giblin.

“Witnesses to water-related incidents on dams or rivers are urged to provide clear landmarks to assist with immediate search and rescue efforts. The public is also reminded that fishing with nets is dangerous and illegal and is a criminal offence.”