Two drownings reported in NC rivers
THE NORTHERN Cape police are investigating two unrelated drownings, in Gong-Gong and Modderrivier, following the opening of dam sluice gates in some parts of the Province.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said that the police are still searching for the two men who are presumed drowned.
The first incident took place in Modderrivier on Thursday, November 10, where a farmworker, Bless Moholoagae, 34, apparently lost control of a tractor and drove off a low-water bridge into the river.
It is believed that the bridge was under water when he tried to cross the river.
“The police divers from the SAPS Search and Rescue team were immediately summoned to the scene and have been searching for the adult male since last Thursday,” said Kock.
He added that the search is ongoing and he urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Captain Deon Rheeder on 082 495 4522.
The second incident happened in Gong-Gong on Sunday, November 13, at around 6pm, when the water level rose suddenly and rapidly while three men were fishing in the Vaal River.
Kock said that the men were fishing on a small island and were swept into the river by the rapidly rising water.
“Two of the men managed to swim to the river bank, however, the third man is still missing,” said Kock.
“Police divers are currently busy with the search and have requested that anyone with information about the incident contact Captain Rudolf Lottering on 082 448 6402.”
Kock warned the public to be extra careful when visiting or fishing in the Orange, Vaal, Riet and Modder rivers due to the rising water levels as a result of the recent opening of dam sluice gates.
It is believed that more sluice gates will be opened due to the recent heavy rains.
“Canals are also a very dangerous attraction to children, especially during the hot summer months,” Kock also warned.
Moholoagae’s family, meanwhile, want answers and closure.
The family said they were informed about the drowning on Thursday, November 10 after last seeing Moholoagae that morning when he left for work.
They want answers from Moholoagae’s employer as to why he was driving a tractor when he does not have a driving licence and why he was crossing a bridge that was under water.
They are also demanding a report on the roadworthiness of the tractor from the police and the employer.
The family members added that they were “disturbed” after receiving “two different reports” from the police.
The family also claim that no police divers were on the scene and that the search and rescue team only made use of boats in the search for Moholoagae.
They stated that they were told that it was “too costly” for divers to be dispatched from Bloemfontein.
According to the family’s representative, Melany Solomons, the police told them on Friday that a body had been found and just needed to be retrieved from the river.
“The police came again on Saturday morning with another story, that the body was not found,” said Solomons. “Now, no one is able to explain to us whether it was a false alarm or whether the body was washed further downstream.
“All we need is proper communication and for him to be found, in order for us to have a burial if he is dead because we know that that is a possibility.
“We are helpless because even the employer is just quiet and not remorseful enough to tell the family exactly what happened.”
