Bodies of drowned boys found

The bodies of two boys who drowned while swimming in the Ritavi River were recovered near Nkomo B village in Limpopo, the Giyani municipality has said.

Residents found the boys, aged nine and 10, yesterday after they drowned on Monday afternoon, spokesman Steven Mavunda said today.

“The only information we received was that they were both swimming at the river, and that the area’s ward councillor reported the matter to our disaster management team and the police shortly after the incident.”

A search for the bodies began yesterday morning because by the time authorities visited the scene on Monday, it was already dark.

The boys were found a few metres from where they had drowned.

Mavunda said 10 people had drowned in Limpopo since January.

“We are appealing to the community, in particular parents, to encourage their children to avoid swimming in rivers in their communities,” said Mavunda.

“This will help prevent drownings and the possibility of acquiring diseases which are caused by unclean water.”

- Sapa