MORE DEATHS FEARED AS HEAT WAVE PUMMELS THE COUNTRY

FREE State police issued a warning yesterday that more children could drown as a result of the current heat wave around the country.

This comes after two children drowned at the weekend. The bodies of Thomas Mbuyane and Puleng Agnes Motsoeneng, both aged 11, were recovered from a dam in Meloding, near Welkom on Sunday.

Sergeant Thabo Litabe said the two were playing with their friends when they decided to go for a swim at the dam, which is located near old mines.

“When they did not come back, their parents reported them missing. The information we have is that they went playing on Saturday. They were only recovered the following – Sunday, ” Litabe said.

According to Litabe, it was not until their friends were questioned by police that it emerged that they had gone to the dam the previous day.

“Their friends did not say anything until they were questioned (about their whereabouts). A diving unit was then sent to the dam and their bodies were recovered.”

There were fears that as the searing temperatures continue to rise, more children could drown.

“There is a possibility of children taking chances and going for a swim. Some of the dams are not even in residential areas and obviously, police will not see them when they are patrolling these areas,” Litabe said.

Parents have been warned to keep an eye on their children. The children’s deaths came at the time the country was experiencing drought.

Sowetan reported last week that water and sanitation minister Nomvula Mokonyane even appealed to both traditional and religious leaders to pray for rain.

Free State province, where the deceased children hailed from, as well as KwaZuluNatal have already been declared drought areas.

Meanwhile, a police officer from Namahadi, Frankfort, detective unit has been charged with statutory rape.

Spokesman for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Robbie Raburabu said the officer would appear in court today on a charge of rape.

“It is alleged that a 29-yearold police constable attached to the Namahadi detective unit ... took the victim to his room in the police barracks where he allegedly raped her the whole night without using any protection.

“On Sunday the suspect dropped the victim in the street and she managed to go to Phuthaditjaba police station where she reported the alleged rape,” Raburabu said.