Phuthaditjhaba – The body of an unidentified man and his Ford Everest SUV have been recovered from the overflowing Kgopjane River in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, on Sunday, 6 April, police have confirmed. The discovery comes after a week of heavy rainfall that has caused rivers to swell across the Eastern Free State, creating hazardous conditions for both motorists and pedestrians.
Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed the grim discovery and stated that police are currently working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify the deceased. At this stage, it remains unclear whether the man was swept away by the strong water currents, or if other factors contributed to the tragedy.
"We can confirm that an unidentified body of a man was retrieved from the flooded Kgopjane river. Investigations are currently underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the deceased," Mophiring stated.
The recovery operation was carried out amidst challenging conditions, as the Kgopjane River remains swollen and the water currents are strong. The Ford Everest was submerged in the river, making the retrieval process difficult and time-consuming.
In light of the recent heavy rainfall and flooding, authorities are urging community members to exercise extreme caution when near rivers and dams. Mophiring issued a strong warning, emphasising the dangers posed by overflowing rivers and the potential for tragic consequences.
"We urge community members whether walking on foot or on transport to never underestimate neither of overflowing rivers because that's very dangerous and can cause unnecessary deaths. Let's be vigilant and never underestimate rivers or dams as they can be detrimental to humans," he said.
The incident at the Kgopjane River is not an isolated case, as police have been dealing with several drowning incidents in the region due to the heavy rainfall. Mophiring revealed that two siblings drowned in Vrede, within the Phumelela Local Municipality, while attempting to cross a body of water.
"The two inquest cases will be investigated to determine death," he said, highlighting the ongoing efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
The heavy rainfall has also led to the closure of several low-lying bridges in the Eastern Free State, as the flooded waterways pose a significant risk to motorists. Authorities are advising drivers to take extra precautions and to avoid crossing flooded bridges.
Motorists are urged to use alternative routes and to check for updates on road conditions before embarking on their journeys. The combination of heavy rainfall and flooded bridges has created treacherous driving conditions, and authorities are keen to prevent further accidents and fatalities.
