The Johannesburg Emergency Services, EMS, continues to appeal to traditional healers and prophets to prioritize safety when overseeing their congregants at river streams when performing cleansing or baptism ceremonies.
The call comes after the recovery of man’s dead body at Kliprivier in Olifantsvlei, South of Johannesburg, on the 6th day of the search and rescue mission by the Aquatic Rescue Unit together with Police Divers.
The units were searching for two young people who were allegedly swept away by the river last Saturday night.
EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo confirmed the recovery of the body.
“After barring, scorching heat and contaminated waters for the past six days EMS and the SAPS operational team have recovered a body of a male a few kilometers away from where a body of a woman was recovered two days ago.
We are waiting for the body to be identified,” said Khumalo.
According to the EMS, two victims who were washed away were an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man who were performing a cleansing ritual at the river stream that was overflowing after heavy rains.
The identity of the dead body of a woman has since been confirmed by the family.
The spokesperson urged those who perform rituals at the rivers to exercise caution.
EMS continues to urge the community of Johannesburg, traditional healers and Amakhosi to practice caution when performing ceremonies and rituals at rivers,” appealed Khumalo.
The bodies have been handed over to the SAPS for further investigations.