The chairperson of the Mutale Concerned Group (MCG), Mr Thabelo Bennedict Nalana, has called on the South African Police Service to leave no stone unturned while investigating the case of a man who allegedly drowned while swimming at night in Pile village last Wednesday.
Nalana, who is also a community leader in Mulodi village, said the man was believed to have visited the Tshiombedi River in Pile village with friends. They bought beer at a nearby liquor outlet before heading to the river to swim.
"We were surprised to hear that people were swimming in that dark area during the night. This is why we are calling on the police to investigate this case thoroughly and gather all the evidence about this man's alleged drowning," he said.
Nalana also stated that one of the deceased's friends, who was with him when the incident occurred, has since disappeared. "We live together here in Mulodi village. We want him to tell us what happened, but he is nowhere to be found," he said.
The acting communications manager of the SAPS in the Vhembe District, W/O Vuledzani Dathi, confirmed that the Mutale police are investigating an incident in which a 32-year-old man, Jeremiah Ndou of Mulodi Bashasha village, had allegedly drowned. He said police had been alerted to the incident at Pile village and had rushed to the scene.
Upon their arrival, they found a male person who claimed he had been drinking beer with the deceased next to the river. According to the witness, the deceased suddenly started to swim in the river. "After a few minutes, the deceased disappeared in the water and never resurfaced. That's when he informed others who were drinking beer at the nearby bar about the disappearance," Dathi explained.
A search was initiated, using the torches of cellphones, but to no avail. The matter was reported to the local police, who activated the provincial search and rescue team.
Dathi added that the deceased's body had been retrieved on Thursday morning, 27 March, and had been thoroughly examined. No foul play is suspected.
Anyone with information that may assist the police in their investigation can contact the investigating officer, Sgt Mmbodi, at (076) 205-2920.