Residents of Makhitha Village in the Kutama area are still in shock, after it was announced that a well-known 16-year-years old resident of the village, Takalani Ravhuhali, had drowned at the Tshipata dam on Sunday.

It is alleged that he and four of his friends intended to go fishing, when the incident took place. According to eyewitnesses, while fishing, Takalani apparently ventured into the deeper portion of the dam. When Takalani’s friends realised he was in trouble, they tried to save him, but the water was too deep and too murky. They then decided to run to the settlement to attract the attention of fellow community members.

Community and family members stayed at the dam, looking for him until police divers arrived on Monday. When they arrived at the scene, they could do little more than retrieve the body.

Makhado SAPS spokesperson Capt Maano Sadiki said the police were investigating the drowning incident. He appealed to children not to play alongside streams and on river banks or to swim without the supervision of older people.

He said that the station would be embarking on a campaign of visiting villages in order to tell children not to play in streams, rivers and dams. The children drown after misjudging the depth of dams and the strength of currents in rivers.

A well-known community builder, Mr Africa Monyeleote, expressed his condolences with the family and warned children to avoid playing next to or in water. He called upon all parents to watch out when their children are playing, especially when they do so near water.

The grieving uncle of the late Takalani, Mr Basil Makatu, told Limpopo Mirror that Takalani had been a keen student and had been hoping to pursue a career in law. Makatu thanked the community members, learners and the teachers of Madaheni Combined School, who spent the whole day searching for the body.

The funeral is scheduled for 06:30 on Saturday at Makhitha Village.