Bodies of Two Children Recovered after Drowning in Limpopo River, Two Adults Still Missing

Police have opened cases of inquest after the bodies two children who reportedly drowned in separate incidents were found in Limpopo. 

In the first incident, an 8-year-old boy was reportedly playing with friends along the Phalala river at Shongwane village on Monday when he allegedly fell into the river and was swept away by the strong current. 

Search and rescue units managed to recover his body sixteen kilometers away from the scene at Tshehlong village. 

In a separate incident two adults aged 55 and 57 and an 11-year-old boy were reported missing after they were last seen boating on Mokol Dam. 

It is believed the boat was apparently swept downstream and plunged into the Mokol River. 

The body of the 11 year old boy was later found a few meters from the boat down the river bank.

The search operation for the remaining victims will resume on Friday. 

In another incident, six males were rescued after they attempted to cross the Mogalakwena river in a Toyota Hilux at Gilead village outside Mokopane. 

The Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has cautioned communities to be extra careful when crossing rivers and boating to avoid drownings.

“As the persistent rains continue to fall across the Province, rivers and dams are becoming full, posing possibility drownings.” 

Hadebe has urged people to be extremely cautious during this rainy period and parents and guardians should always be vigilant about the whereabouts of their children.