After recent heavy rains, Gauteng water police recovered three bodies and rescued two people in separate incidents.
After recent heavy rains, divers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng water policing and diving services recovered three bodies and rescued two victims within five days.
Tshwane water police arrived at a scene in Tsakane on Saturday, 29 March where they spotted the body of a missing girl in a river.
Teen’s body recovered by Tshwane water police 2kms from point of entry
The 16-year-old girl allegedly slipped into a flooded stream running between Tsakane and Duduza while crossing over a pipe on the Friday. During the initial search on Friday, officers did not find the teenager’s body.
The victim’s body was removed on Saturday approximately two kilometres from the alleged point of entry close to Extension 22, and she was handed over to Tsakane police.
Around 4am on Monday, 31 March, Sedibeng water police responded to a vehicle that had lost control and plunged into the Rietspruit River.
“Upon arrival, they found the white Toyota Hilux in the river with just the roof sticking out and the driver stranded on top. An inflatable raft was used to rescue the relieved victim and bring him to safety,” Gauteng police spokesperson Warrant Officer Grant Giblin said.
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Also on Monday morning, Johannesburg water police responded to a body floating in Westdene Dam, Sophiatown. Officers recovered the body of a man in his twenties, who was wearing blue shorts and a black T-shirt, and handed it over to Sophiatown police members.
Meanwhile, members of Ekurhuleni water police resumed their search for a victim who washed away in Edenpark last week in the Natalspruit River on Tuesday, 1 April.
Warrant Officer Bann from K9 Search and Rescue, along with his K9 cannine partner, Optimus, searched the riverbanks with other K9 and WPDS members.
Optimus retires after 10 years of service
“Approximately six km from the alleged point of entry, Optimus suddenly took the lead all the way to where he and his partner, Bann, discovered the badly decomposed body of the victim in the Rietspruit River close to Napoleon Road,” Giblin said. The water police handed the body over to Klipriver police.
This was Optimus’ last day of work because, following a heroic ten years of service and cooperation with Bann in the Saps, he has formally retired from his K9 policing duties.
In another incident, rescuers pulled an elderly man from the rushing Rietspruit River in Sebokeng on Thursday afternoon, 3 April, marking Sedibeng’s second rescue of the week. The traumatised man was turned over to the ambulance staff so they could examine him.
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Inquest dockets for these cases are currently under investigation. Police urge anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact the relevant police station or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Precautionary measures
Because of the recent high rainfall, Giblin emphasised precautionary measures to prevent unnecessary deaths.
“In light of all these recent and ongoing incidents, the inherent dangers of rivers and dams demand continuous attention. Individuals intending to traverse rivers are urged to do so exclusively at dedicated bridges, as accidents often stem from victims being swept away by flash floods and rapid currents,” Giblin said.
“Low-lying bridges and pipes used for crossing rivers regularly claim victims during these floods and should be avoided.”
The police have urged witnesses of water-related incidents to provide multiple landmarks to pinpoint locations for immediate search and rescue efforts.
