By Levy Masiteng
The police’s Gauteng Water Policing and Diving Services has urged residents to be vigilant when engaging in water activities, following 28 bodies being recovered over the last two months.
According to Grant Giblin, the media liaison officer of the water police, the festive season was dominated by rescue, recovery and diving operations.
“Heavy rains and flooding contributed to members carrying out 10 diving recovery operations, 17 rescue and recovery operations with six victims rescued and sadly 17 victims’ bodies recovered in separate incidents,” he said.
As the Safer Festive Season campaign continues, other notable incidents are the recovery of the bodies of murder victims, illegal fishermen, victims and vehicles washed off low water bridges, victims playing in rivers being swept away by strong currents, persons living in storm water drains and workers cleaning pools falling in and drowning.
These incidents took place at the Vaal Dam, Vaal River, Klip River, Spaarwater Dam, Sebokeng, Orange Farm, Tembisa, Atteridgeville, Centurion, Hennops River, Rietspruit, Rooikraal, Klein Jukskei (Douglasdale) and Carletonville.
Giblin pointed out that each December members were deployed on a daily basis at various dams while being on standby for any incidents that may occur across the province.
The water police have also collaborated with other emergency services, including the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue, SAPS Air Wing and the Drone Unit to conduct extensive searches and recoveries.
Giblin urged residents who engaged in baptism rituals to be cognisant of associated risks.
“Individuals venturing onto dams, rivers or waters for any activity are advised to do so only with a life jacket,” he said. Giblin reminded the public that fishing with nets was illegal and constituted a criminal offence.
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