The search for a Hartswater resident who is believed to have drowned in a canal near Bonita Park entered its third day on Thursday.
THE SEARCH for a Hartswater resident, Jean Claudi Klaassens, who is believed to have drowned in a canal near Bonita Park, entered its third day on Thursday.
Community members expressed their helplessness, noting that the water in the canal remained exceptionally deep.
There was also concern that “people drink the water from the canal.”
Glenda Fish, who was visiting family and conducting a political campaign in Hartswater this week, said Klaaseens was the son of one of their Patriotic Alliance (PA) members.
“It is believed that he went fishing with a friend [on March 12] and he fell into a canal that is used for the irrigation of crops in the Vaalharts area. His friend unsuccessfully tried to pull him out of the water. The canal is not fenced off and poses a danger to the safety of children and residents in the nearby settlement,” said Fish.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock confirmed that the SAPS Search and Rescue unit and the Hartswater SAPS, with the assistance of community members, were searching for a 35-year-old man who apparently fell into a canal in Hartswater.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the man was fishing on Tuesday, at about midday, when he reportedly fell into the canal, which is situated in Bonita Park, Hartswater,” said Kock.
He added that the search was continuing.
A spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Amogelang Moholoeng, said that the Vaalharts Water Users Association had reduced the water level by 30 percent in the Hartswater canal to assist in the search.
“It is reported that a male was fishing at the canal when his fishing equipment fell inside. While trying to retrieve his equipment, he allegedly fell inside and subsequently drowned. The South African Police Service and divers are working around the clock in search of the body,” said Moholoeng.
He added that DWS was working with local authorities to ensure that the 30 percent reduction in water in the canal did not impact on the provision of water to local communities.
“The department appeals to community members, in the interest of their safety, to desist from fishing at the canals. The department will monitor the situation and give space to the police to do their job and any changes to the levels of the canal will be communicated,” said Moholoeng.
Phokwane Municipality spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo added that the mayor was engaging with the relevant authorities including the CEO of Vaalharts Water to ensure that the body is retrieved from the water canal.
“The municipality sends condolences to the family regarding this tragic, unfortunate incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” added Letshabo.
