FREE STATE – Community members are reminded to practice water safety following five drownings at a river during religious rituals that were performed.

On Saturday, 12 March 2022 at about 13:30, Wesselsbron SAPS was informed about people who drowned at Vet river on the R719 Wesselsbron /Bultfontein road. On arrival, a female witness was at the scene and alleges that a mother was holding her 12-year-old daughter whilst standing in the river during a ritual when the child was swept away in the water. Four men attempted to save the child and also drowned.

Divers were summoned to the scene and the bodies were retrieved from the river.

Source: South African Police Service