Residents in fear after skeleton is found at Nandoni Dam

The increasing number of people dying at Nandoni Dam has become a source of concern for residents of Vhembe. More than 40 people have perished in the dam while fishing, drawing water, and swimming since the dam was opened in 2005.

Two months ago, a man was found dead at the dam’s Tshilungoma side. As if that were not enough, the same community had a rude awakening on Saturday, 16 March, when a human skull and a hand were found on the shore of the dam by a passerby.

Community leader Mr Khathutshelo Thomas Tshisikule said that he had received a call about the discovery and rushed to the scene. He said the situation at the dam had become a cause for concern. “Indeed, we found the skull and a hand near the shore of the dam. We notified the police, who came with divers, who then retrieved the bones. We suspect that the bones could be those of a local fisherman who disappeared a week ago and has not been seen since,” he said. Tshisikule further pointed out that they had been sending out warnings but to no avail.

“This is not the first incident this year. Two months ago, another fisherman died here, but fortunately his body was found intact. We have also asked the nature conservation people to come at least once a month just to show their presence, but to no avail. We call on all our people to desist from coming to this dam as many of our loved ones have perished here,” said Tshisikule.

Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that bones were found at the dam. “We have since opened an inquest docket, following the discovery. A man at the dam pointed out that members of the community have been searching for a Zimbabwean national, Mr Lucas Ncube, who was last seen fishing at the dam and has been missing since Wednesday, 13 March. The human remains were taken to Tshilidzini Government Mortuary, and investigations continue,” he said.

News - Date: 22 March 2024

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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