QWAQWA – An intensive search by a multidisciplinary team for the boy who drowned in the local Kgotjwane River in Qwaqwa in the eastern Free State nine days ago ended tragically. The body was found floating in the water by the team, consisting of members of SAPS in Phuthaditjhaba and the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality Rescue and Divers Team.

Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, provincial spokesperson for the police, said the team retrieved the body of an 11-year-old boy, Letlogang Reitumetse Mokakuoa, from the river yesterday – Tuesday.
“The deceased was positively identified by his uncle. The recovery of the child’s body has brought closure to the family, who had been anxiously awaiting news of their loved one,” said Mophiring.

He said community members noticed a human body trapped around a tree inside the river and they immediately alerted the police. “Members responded to the scene together with the rescue team to retrieve the body,” said Mophiring. He said retrieval of the child’s body came after various resources were used during the search, including a police helicopter to scan the surrounding area.

Mophiring said the boy reportedly drowned on 19 September. “Several attempts were made by the police and the Rescue and Divers Team to locate and recover his body, but the search was hampered by adverse weather conditions,” said Mophiring, adding that an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation.

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