The police in Barkly West are investigating two separate drowning incidents in less than a week, involving three victims.
THE POLICE in Barkly West are investigating two separate drowning incidents in less than a week, involving three victims.
The three drownings happened between January 24 and January 27.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said that on Wednesday, January 24, the police retrieved the body of a 13-year-old boy who was found floating in a water furrow in De Beers Hoogte.
In the second incident on Saturday, January 27, two traditional healers, a 25-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, drowned in the river near Barkly West.
Sam said the duo were part of a group that was performing traditional rituals in the river.
“They were certified deceased by the Barkly West Emergency Services following attempts from fellow traditional healers to save them from drowning.”
Sam said the police were investigating the circumstances that led to the two incidents. “Autopsies to determine the exact cause of death will be conducted.”
He emphasised that the police were continuously working to educate the public on water safety via media platforms and social crime prevention awareness programmes.
