What started as a night of fishing with friends ended in tragedy when a 34-year-old man drowned in the Xingwedzi River at Mtititi Altein outside Malamulele. Mathew Chauke died on Saturday, 2 May, at about 21:15.
The incident happened after he allegedly tried to swim across the river to join one of the men he had been fishing with. Police said Chauke was with two other men when one of them crossed to the opposite side of the river and called him to follow.
While trying to swim across, Chauke got into difficulty and drowned. The two men managed to pull him from the water and tried to resuscitate him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene and declared Chauke dead. Malamulele police have opened an inquest.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe sent condolences to Chauke’s family and friends. She urged residents to be careful around rivers and dams, especially at night and during the rainy season.
Police investigations are continuing.