The police in Masemola under Sekhukhune District have opened two inquest dockets following drowning incidents that occurred on Sunday, 17 November 2024, at Ngwaritsi River, in the Sekhukhune District.
According to the report, three boys aged 9 and 14 were walking towards the river and were seeking to fish. The reports suggest that the little one insisted on going home, but the older one insisted on getting fish.
It is alleged that the 14-year-old boy went inside the water and seemingly struggled to swim and drowned.
The 9-year-old boy tried to assist but failed, and he also drowned. The third one wanted to go inside, but the woman who was bathing at the river screamed to prevent him from entering the river and the community responded and eventually managed to retrieve two bodies floating in the river.
The victims were certified dead on the scene by the Emergency Medical Service.
The circumstances surrounding the drowning incident are being investigated, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, urges parents and guardians to exercise extra care for their children’s safety to avoid these unexpected events.
Parents and guardians are advised not to leave their children swimming unsupervised, concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Police investigations are ongoing.