Police retrieve body from Wilge River

Police divers retrieved a 21-year-old’s body out of Wilge River in Mafube on Wednesday afternoon, 23 March.

The search started on Tuesday after police received reports of a man who had drowned in the river. A fisherman reported to the police that he witnessed a drowning man on Saturday, 19 March.

According to Fezile Dabi police spokesperson, Captain Malebo Khosana, the fisherman pointed out that the man sat near the river bank.

“After wa while, the victim allegedly went into the water attempting to swim across and drowned,” added Khosana.

Authorities summoned Welkom Waterwing to start searching on Tuesday, 22 March.

Upon retrieving the body, the victim’s father identified him as Lerato Mofokeng from Namahadi, Frankfort.

The body had no visible injuries and the police did not suspect foul play.

The police then opened an inquest docket for further investigation which will lead to a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.