Tragedy struck the Kariega community early yesterday, November 19, as the bodies of two young boys, aged 6 and 8, were discovered in the Willow Dam.
The boys had been missing since Sunday, November 17, after being last seen at a park near their home in Tamboville, Kamesh policing area. The families reported them missing on Monday at SAPS Kamesh.
Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg of SAPS said, “By 12:30 today, community members noticed the bodies in the water and alerted authorities, who recovered them.
Two cases of inquests have been opened for further investigation.”
Local businessman Armand Du Preez, who is also the chairman of the Kariega Emerging Farmers’ Association, has expressed his deep distress over the incident.
Du Preez, who built a private dam, Ebenhaeser Dam, for farming purposes, noticed children swimming there during warmer seasons. To ensure their safety, he took it upon himself to repair the Rosedale Public Swimming Pool and provided it with water from his private dam during the recent drought.
However, the pool, after being opened for only three weeks, was closed again, leading to disappointment and confusion among the children, according to Du Preez.
“The closure of that swimming pool is the reason for this tragedy,” stated Du Preez, highlighting the significant effort and finances (approximately R72 000) he invested in the repairs.
In response, Ward 49 Councillor, Georgen Miggels confirmed Du Preez’s involvement in repairing the community pool but noted that Du Preez tried to interfere in the pool’s operations.
Miggels explained that all municipal pools adhere to a seasonal schedule, opening on December 16 and closing at the end of March every year. He added, “When members of the community approach the municipality wanting to help, we do not turn them away, but it is important for community members not to assume how these facilities operate.”
Miggels expressed his sorrow over the incident: “The death of these two boys is truly heartbreaking for the community. We first heard about them over the weekend when they went missing, so this is a total shock. I’m on my way to give the families my heartfelt condolences in person today.
