An alleged foot chase ended tragically when a young man believed to be pursued by police jumped into a reservoir and drowned.
The incident occurred at the Strand Pump Station located on Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road in Somerset West on Monday morning (4 November). Authorities, including Somerset West and Metro police, diving units, law enforcement and City of Cape Town officials, responded to the scene, where the body was recovered from the reservoir in the early afternoon.
Revealing the deceased’s identity was withheld until family members had formally identified him.
According to initial reports the deceased was pursued by police allegedly after stoning vehicles along the route and jumped into the reservoir, presumably to escape being caught.
There was also the possibility that the man was unaware that the reservoir was filled with water on jumping through an opening in the cover.
Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for the Somerset West police, confirmed police officers were driving in Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, around 09:30, when they spotted the 24-year-old behind a trailer throwing stones at passing vehicles.
“The officers stopped their vehicle and instructed the suspect to cease his actions, warning him that his behaviour could cause an accident,” she said.
“The suspect refused to comply and continued hurling stones at the police officers and their vehicle.
“In response, the officers fired a warning shot towards the ground. The suspect fled towards the reservoir, where he disappeared under the water.”
Jantjies further confirmed that police divers were called to the area and retrieved the body at 13:52.
On enquiry, Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, said an incident of unauthorised access to the reservoir, following police pursuit of a suspect, was reported at 10:15. Badroodien said water supply from the reservoir was temporarily isolated from the main supply system and was disinfected before reinstated.
