Police Divers recovered the body of the seventh child that drowned on Sunday at Steynsrus in the Northern Free State.
It is alleged that on Sunday, 07 February 2021 at about 10:52 the police in Steynsrus received a complaint about a white Honda ballade that has been swept away into the river at Somerset east farm.
According to the information received by the police the occupants of vehicle were Tshokolo Hlongwane (26) who was the driver, two adult males -Mohau Mokoena and Swartbooi Hlongwane, and seven kids – 4 boys and 3 girls.
The two males and the driver managed to get out of the vehicle and escape but the driver went back into the water to try and safe the children from drowning and was also swept away by water.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said all seven children drowned and the police divers managed to recover six bodies of the kids and the body of the driver on Sunday.
The police continued their search on Monday morning and recovered the body of Karabo Kok (7) that was still missing.
Names of the children whose bodies were retrieved from the water are:- 1.Thapelo Tekanya 4yrs (boy) 2.Ntaoleng Mpeko 13yrs (girl) 3.Relebohile Mpeko 9yrs (girl) 4.Mojalefa Mosibi 12yrs (boy) 5.Bokamoso Maphakisa 8yrs(boy) 6.Hopolang Monyatsi 6yrs (girl) and the seventh child whose body was recovered lastly is Karabo Kok 7yrs (boy).
“We thank our diving team, for working so hard, to make sure this last body is recovered.” So said the Provincial Commissioner. “I want to thank this team of divers for their dedication even under tireless, difficult and dangerous circumstances.” So concluded the Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Baile Motswenyane.
The police in Steynsrus are investigating an Inquest case.
