On Wednesday morning 23 July, members from the South African Police Service Ekurhuleni Water Policing and Diving Services deployed to a scene at Modderfontein Reserve where an alleged illegal fisherman had possibly drowned.
Allegedly, the victim was dropping nets from a canoe during the night hours on Thursday 17 July and never returned. Members were pointed a location where nets were visible and the area was combed by deploying a vessel with WPDS and two (02) K9 dogs able to identify gases released from a submerged body.
Members then started removing the net for the safety of divers before any underwater search could commence. As the net was reeled in with a large quantity of live fish still entrapped, members neared the end of the 400-metre length to find the unfortunate victim’s body also entrapped in the netting.
The body was handed over to the Sebenza detective on scene and the 45-year-old victim immediately identified by a family member.
In further incidents three (03) unknown victims were recovered in separate incidents by Sedibeng in Vereeniging on Thursday, Tshwane at Bon Accord Dam on Saturday and Johannesburg at Turfontein in a quarry on Monday.
Inquest dockets for these cases are currently under investigation by the local SAPS Stations. Individuals with information regarding these incidents are encouraged to contact the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
