Tragic drowning of 16-year-old at Athlone Dam leaves family heartbroken
Police in Middelburg have opened an inquest after a 16-year-old boy drowned while swimming with friends at Athlone Dam in Aerorand on Monday afternoon.
The incident happened at about 15:30, when a group of six boys, aged between 13 and 16, went for a swim at the dam. According to provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the group claimed they had asked the deceased whether he could swim, and he allegedly assured them that he could.
Moments after diving into the water, the teenager began struggling. His friends said they attempted to help him but were unable to pull him out. One of the boys called the police on 10111 for assistance.
The Mpumalanga police search and rescue team responded, but by the time they arrived, the teenager had already drowned. His body was retrieved from the dam, and paramedics certified him dead on the scene.
Police identified the deceased as Mufaro Washesanda, a 16-year-old foreign national who had been visiting his uncle. His next of kin have been informed.
Mpumalanga’s acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and praised the diving unit for its swift response. He also urged communities to take extra caution when visiting areas with open water to prevent further tragedies.
Police investigations continue.
At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the body of the missing man was retrieved after he vanished in the river. Earlier, police had received a complaint of a possible drowning at Crocodile River, and different stakeholders, including the police diving unit were summoned to the scene.
“It is reported that two males, a prophet and a traditional healer, were at the river praying and performing rituals. On the said date, according to the prophet, while performing those activities, he never saw his friend again,” said Ndubane.
The prophet shouted out the traditional healer’s name and frantically searched around, but to no avail.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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