New Year's Day tragedies as two drown near Barkly West

The police are investigating two possible drownings that took place near Barkly West on New Year's Day. 

The body of a ten year old boy was retrieved near the Delportshoop Water Treatment plant on Sunday following a four day search for Kagisho Shaun Cwaile.

A family member Nkagisang Sereo said his nephew who lived in New Stands in Barkly West accompanied two of his friends to Longlands on New Year's eve. 

"On January 1 they were walking in the veld when they found two horses. They walked up until Rooikoppies and decided to cross the river over to Delportshoop on horseback. While crossing the river, Cwaile was thrown off his horse. His friends unsuccessfully tried to prevent him from drowning." 

He added that rescue operations were delayed by the strong current and high water levels.

"The police were also searching for another person who was presumed to have drowned. My nephew's decomposed body was found in the middle of the river near the Delportshoop Water Treatment plant on Sunday afternoon," Sereo stated. 

Inquest opened into ten year old drowning 

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the police in Delportshoop had opened an inquest following the alleged drowning of a ten-year-old boy on January 1 at approximately 2pm.

"The incident was reported to the Delportshoop police on the same day, who subsequently alerted the SAPS Search and Rescue Team based in Kimberley. Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased and two friends were riding horses and travelling towards Rooikoppies near Delportshoop when the incident occurred. It is alleged that while attempting to cross a river, the deceased fell from his horse and was swept away by the strong river current. The friends reportedly attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful and immediately notified the police." 

Litabe added that the SAPS Search and Rescue Team from Kimberley were dispatched to the scene.

"However, due to the strong water current, the body could not be retrieved and the operation was temporarily suspended. Additional search and rescue teams from Upington and Bloemfontein were later deployed to reinforce the operation." 

He indicated that the body was recovered further downstream on January 4 at approximately 1pm.

"No foul play is suspected at this stage, and an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation."

SAPS still searching for second person 

A community member reported the drowning of a fisherman who was apparently swept away by the strong current in the river in Barkly West on New Year's Day. 

Litabe added that the Barkly West police were still searching for the person who had possibly drowned on January 1.

"A SAPS Search and Rescue Team from Kimberley commenced search operations from January 2, which are still ongoing. At this stage, no body has been recovered." 

He urged members of the public to avoid rivers, streams and dams, particularly during periods of strong water flow, and to refrain from crossing rivers when conditions were unsafe.

"The public is further advised to assess potential risks before entering any water bodies to prevent accidents and loss of life," he said.