Child, 10, missing in Swartkops River

A 10-year-old child is missing and presumed drowned after disappearing while swimming with friends in the Swartkops River on Sunday afternoon.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said Mange Tose, 10, of Motherwell, had been playing with nine friends in the shallows of the river near the brick factory at about 3pm.

“The children ranged in age from eight to 13 and were at the river swimming without adult supervision,” he said.

“According to a primary investigation, eight children came out of the water and another two got into difficulty.

“At the time, the children had made a type of raft out of plastic bottles and were pulling each other around with it in the shallows.”

Beetge said that while playing, two children had fallen off the floating device.

“One of the children managed to find his footing and walk out of the water, while the other child disappeared.

“A passer-by heard the hysterical children shouting and went to investigate the commotion.”

Beetge said the police had been called.

The search for Mange was called off at about 6pm.

Beetge said it would resume at first light on Monday.