Pretoria – The search continues for a person who ran away from security guards into the Hennops River in Centurion and got swept away by the strong current.
Narrating events of the possible drowning, the City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department said it received an emergency call for a missing person who was believed to have run into the river on the morning of Sunday, (22 December 2024).
“This incident was reported to the Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) at about 07:15, as a drowning at West Avenue near the Supersport Park Cricket Stadium,” the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department said in a statement released on Monday, (23 December 2024).
“The ECC immediately dispatched firefighting resources from Centurion Fire Station to the scene.
“These included a fire engine, a ladder and a rapid intervention unit.”
The City said other resources were dispatched from Central Fire Station and Innesdale Fire Station as backup.
These included a swift water rescue unit, a video unit, and a district commander’s unit.
“On arrival, the firefighters and rescuers from our Fire and Rescue Operations Division, together with the divers from the South African Police Service’s water unit, found out that a male of unconfirmed age, who allegedly run away and fled from the custody of the security guards, had run into the river and got swept away by the strong current,” the statement said.
“The firefighters and police divers immediately began with search and rescue operations where they painstakingly searched inside the river and on the riverbanks.
“The search was a very intricate and risky one due to the rising water levels and the strong currents, as there was rainfall upstream.
“After hours of intensive search operations, the search was suspended due to safety concerns for the search and rescue personnel.”
The City said rescue operations resumed in the early hours of Monday, (23 December 2024).
“However, due to the heavy rains that occurred overnight, the river continues to present unsafe working conditions to enter and do search and rescue,” the City said.
“The search and rescue teams will continue to monitor the river conditions to be able to safely perform their operations.”
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department called on communities to remain alert during the disruptive rains which may be accompanied by isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers.
The impact of these disruptive rains may include the following:
• Localised flooding, especially of susceptible low-lying areas, informal settlements and susceptible roads, heavy downpours, large amounts of small hail and damaging winds.
• Minor to major vehicle accidents due to poor driving visibility and slippery road conditions.
• Localised service disruptions due to power failures and other damage to infrastructure.
The City called on communities to be vigilant and observe the following safety measures:
• Be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds, heavy rain and/or excessive lighting can accompany thunderstorms.
• If possible, stay indoors and away from metal objects which may be hit by lightning.
• Do not seek shelter under isolated trees or tall objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, etc) if there is a thunderstorm.
• Avoid crossing flooded low-lying roads, bridges and swollen streams.
• Where rising water levels are observed, move to higher grounds.
• When outdoor during lightning activity, immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.
The City Residents strongly urged residents to stay informed and monitor short-term weather forecasts and any warnings or alerts issued by the South African Weather Service and other credible sources and to immediately follow the recommended safety tips.
To report any fire or rescue emergency incident, please call 107 toll-free or alternatively call 012 358 6300/6400.
When reporting an emergency, please remain calm; speak clearly; know where you are to give the correct address; give your correct contact number to allow the operator to phone you back should they require doing so.
