A 20-year-old man from Mzamo Section in Carolina drowned in Silobela Dam after attempting to swim in the dam on Saturday.
It is alleged that on Saturday, 26 September he was with a group of young people picnicking next to the dam when some of them decided to go and take pictures at the dam. He then decided to jump into the dam.
“His friends were terrified when he did not come out. They then alerted the police and his body was removed from the dam by police divers and was certified dead,” said the police.
Several drowning cases occurred in the province. By mid-September, 14 people had drowned while more than 40 fatalities were recorded by the end of last year. This is despite efforts by COGTA, the SAPS and Municipal Disaster Management units to provide swimming lessons in various areas as part of Disaster Management.
Meanwhile, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and traditional Affairs, Mandla Msibi has advised communities to avoid visits to rivers and dams. “We have noted that most of the fatalities occur when the victims are either swimming or fishing in the local rivers, dams and quarries. We call on communities not to risk their lives by swimming or fishing,” said Msibi.
COGTA has established a Disaster Toll-Free number for communities to report emergencies to save lives. The number is 0800 202 507.
