Double tragedy at Albasini Dam as father and son drown

A 58-year-old man, Laxon Madzingira, and his 28-year-old son, Effort Madzingira, from Tshifulanani just outside Thohoyandou, drowned on Friday night while fishing at the Albasini Dam. The incident occurred at around 21:00.

From what could be established, the father, accompanied by his two sons, set out on a boat to fish. The father and son reportedly left the second son, Spadon Madzingira, on the embankment of the dam. Unfortunately, they never returned, leaving the waiting son alone throughout the night.

Limpopo Mirror visited the scene on Sunday, and the son-in-law of Madzingira, Mr Gilbert Muzuru, said that they were still struggling to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss. “We received the sad news from one of his sons who accompanied them. He said it was heart-breaking, and he waited for them the whole night, but they never returned. His father has been a fisherman for years. We are just left with many questions about how it happened,” he said.

Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said that the Makhado Police were investigating the drownings. Dathi said that the body of the 28-year-old man was found by a resident of Louis Trichardt, Mr Hein de Jager, who had gone to Albasini Dam to fish. Mr De Jager started by first removing all the fishing nets in the water. These nets are used by people who fish in the dam illegally.

“While busy pulling out a net, he noticed the hand of a human being. He then drove his boat closer. That’s when he noticed the body unknown to him. He then contacted the local police station to report the incident. The police arrived at the dam, and that body was retrieved from the water,” said Dathi.

The deceased was taken to Elim government mortuary for an autopsy and further police investigations. Dathi said the team comprising SAPS, EMS, and police divers were alerted that another body was spotted floating on the dam on Sunday. The body of the father was then retrieved from the water.

“The body was scrutinised, and no foul play is suspected. It was identified as Laxon Madzingira (58). Further police investigations revealed that the two deceased are father and son,” said Dathi.

Date:08 March 2024

By: Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

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