GIRL (10) DROWNS IN NKOMAZI

PIGG’S PEAK – Taking a few minutes to cool off ended tragically for a 10-year-old girl who drowned while returning from fetching firewood. 

This happened on Monday at the Nkomazi River at Nsangwini area.

It was gathered that the deceased was in the company of her friends when they decided to go for a swim due to the heat.

The deceased girl is said to have been swimming close to the edge of the river without realising that it was deep. 

As she was swimming, sources said she disappeared under the water as if something was holding on to her legs. Upon realising that she was not resurfacing, the girl’s friends are said to have called for help.

Divers from the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) continued to search for the body yesterday until they eventually retrieved it. 

 Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the drowning. Sifiso Mokoena, who is the Bucopho of the area, described the incident as tragic. 

He urged parents to be on the lookout to ensure that children did not get tempted to swim. 

Mokoena said during this season, it was not uncommon for children to head to the river, especially on a hot day. “It is tempting for both adults and children but it is risky,” said Mokoena. 

Drownings are not uncommon along the Nkomazi River. 

In a recent incident, a woman, who was in the company of her newly-found boyfriend, also drowned. The woman drowned while dangerously crossing the river using a rope. 

However, as she held on tight to the rope, it snapped. She was then swept away by the water. 

Her lifeless body was retrieved a few days later.

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