| Acting Provincial Commissioner warns communities about drownings | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/01/23 |
| Description Details: | |
Media Statement POTCHEFSTROOM - The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, appeals to parents, guardians, and all members of the community who use dams, rivers, lakes, bridges and swimming pools for crossing and recreational purposes to exercise extreme caution. This warning follows an incident in which two teenage girls drowned in a river at Moshana Village in Motswedi. It is alleged that on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, at approximately 16:45, police were alerted to a drowning incident at the village. Upon arrival, police were informed that three girls and two boys went swimming in the river. After jumping into the water, two of the girls struggled to swim out. Furthermore, the two boys managed to rescue one girl and then went to the village to seek assistance. Police were subsequently notified, and divers were called to the scene. On Thursday, 22 January 2026, at about 10:15, the bodies of the two girls, aged 15 and 17 respectively, were retrieved from the river. An inquest docket was opened at the Motswedi Police Station. The Acting Provincial Commissioner cautioned members of the public to be extra vigilant and to avoid using rivers as recreational facilities, particularly during the rainy season. He emphasized that many people underestimate the speed and force of moving water, which can cover large areas around rivers, and that attempting to swim in such conditions can result in immediate drowning. Ends
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