By Mandla Khoza
Thohoyandou - Limpopo police have warned residents to steer clear of overflowing rivers after three people drowned recently while trying to fish or cross rivers.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto said the three were swept away in two different rivers in the Thohoyandou area.
"Two teenaged boys aged 14 drowned while trying to cross the fast flowing Mphephu river over the weekend. At Vuwani, two men who were fishing were also swept away when the river came down suddenly. One man was successfully rescued by divers, but the other one was swept away and the search for him is continuing,” said Otto on Wednesday.
Otto said several dams and rivers around Makhado and Thohoyandou continue to overflow following recent rains in the province.
"Several of the dams in the Makhado and Thohoyandou areas are overflowing along with small streams and rivers, including the Limpopo river, which is also very full and fast flowing. Therefore, we are warning people to be careful and we thank the divers who have been working day and night trying to save lives," said Otto.
She urged parents to look after their children and always know where they are.
"People going fishing are urged not to use dilapidated boats or water crafts and to heed to warnings of heavy rain and flooding rivers before they go out," said Otto.
"Another request is made for people to refrain from using alcohol when they venture into an area where there are dams, streams or rivers." – SAnews.gov.za
