Delmas – A guard drowned after he chased after a potato thief who jumped into a lake on a farm in Goedgedagt in Delmas, Mpumalanga.
The potato thief also drowned.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the incident occurred on Wednesday, (18 December 2024), and both bodies have since been retrieved from the lake.
Narrating the matter on Friday, (20 December 2024), Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane said: “According to the information, the suspect was allegedly seen stealing potatoes on the farm.
“Two security officers approached him, but the suspect fled and jumped into a nearby dam.
“One of the security officers followed and jumped into the dam. When his colleague noticed he was struggling, he also jumped in to assist.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane added: “It is alleged that a security officer drowned while attempting to arrest a suspect, and the suspect also drowned while fleeing from the officer at Goedgedagt farm”.
The other guard also ran into trouble and was rescued by an alert farm worker.
“A foreman working on the farm noticed that all three individuals were struggling in the dam and jumped in to help.,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane.
“He was able to rescue one of the security officers.
“Police and relevant stakeholders were summoned to the scene. The two people were confirmed deceased.”
Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane said police in Delmas were investigating a case of possible drowning.
