North West Acting MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Dr Magome Masike on Sunday called upon municipalities to tighten security at reservoirs in their areas of jurisdictions. MEC Masike’s call follows an incident in which a 16 year old boy drowned in a reservoir in Orkney in the North West province on Saturday afternoon.
In conveying condolences to the family of the boy who died in the incident, Masike said that municipalities need to step up measures to prevent incidents of this nature as well as to ensure that drinking water is both clean and safe.
“As an environmental health and security matter, no unauthorised person should access reservoirs with relative ease,” he stressed.
It is alleged that a group of youths had been swimming in the reservoir when one of them, purportedly unable to swim disappeared beneath the water and was submerged for over an hour.
The boy’s body was recovered by Netcare 911 paramedics, who entered the reservoir and managed to pull him out. He was declared dead at the scene.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Source: North West Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison
