Crocodile and hippo threat halt search for Limpopo drowning victim

The families of two 10-year-old boys who drowned at Phalala River at Ga-Seleka outside Lephalele in Limpopo, have accused police of abruptly abandoning the search for one of the boys.

Thapelo Maropola and Jan Monare drowned on New Year’s Day.

Monare’s body and that of an adult who also drowned, were retrieved. Maropola’s body is yet to be found.

Maropola’s mother, Martha Maropola says police did not deploy enough resources to find her son’s body.

“I am very much hurt by the drowning of my son. I am appealing to the police to hire divers so they can retrieve my child. It’s only when they find my child that I can find peace.”

Limpopo police spokesperson, Hlulani Mashaba says they temporarily abandoned the search due to potential danger from hippos and crocodiles in the river.

“Divers were summoned to Phalala River after three people, two young boys and an adult drowned on January 1. The police, working closely with emergency services personnel managed to retrieve two bodies but had to temporarily call of the search after coming across a hippo that charged at the search team. This was not the first incident. On February 7, 2024 a 10-year-old boy was allegedly attacked by a crocodile, it appeared in the Phalala River.”

Families accuse police following drowning tragedy