By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to a call on 9 February 2023 when it was reported that a man was swept away by the Apies River near the Pretoria Zoological Gardens at approximately 13:30.
According to City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson, Thabo Charles Mabaso, it was the second incident in the vicinity of the Pretoria Zoo in a period of less than a week.
“Another man drowned when the river swept him away on Friday, 3 February 2023, and he was recovered in Pretoria North on Saturday, 4 February 2023.
“The search for the man was called off yesterday evening because of poor visibility and high and fast-flowing waters,”said Mabaso.
Mabaso said the search was continuing today under the command of the South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 and Diving Unit.
“The Hennops River in Centurion burst its banks, leading to flooding and the closure of multiple roads before two cars were stuck on Blackwood and Lyttelton Road.
“The occupants of both vehicles evacuated safely. Rabie Street, End Avenue and Blackwood Road were closed at the time of the release of this statement and the water levels in Blackwood Road were dropping but still high.
“We are making a repeated call to motorists to desist from crossing flooded low-water bridges, and risk losing their lives and those of their passengers as well as their assets.
“We also make a repeated call on those who find shelter under bridges near rivers to evacuate the rivers when it rains.
“Dial 107 toll-free to report a fire or life-threating emergency,” Mabaso said.
