TWO people have drowned in Bramley, Joburg, while two were rescued during a cleansing ceremony on Wednesday, 10 January.
The EMS Search and Rescue team together with the SAPS Water Wing responded to the incident this morning.
It's alleged that a group of congregants were performing a cleansing ritual when four women were swept away by flash floods.
Two women were rescued while two unfortunately drowned during the incident.
EMS media liaison officer Xolile Khumalo said the bodies of two people who drowned have been recovered by the SAPS rescue team and EMS.
ALSO READ: Fishing trip cut short by deadly 'crocodile'
“The incident was reported at 11.40 am.
"One body was recovered in Morningside and the other in Witkoppen along Jukskei River,” she said.
Khumalo has pleaded with the community of Joburg, especially traditional healers, to refrain from performing these ceremonies during this time of the year because the river levels are very high, and the raging waters are dangerous for anyone to go into.
“EMS would like to emphasise the dangers of conducting rituals and ceremonies at or in the river during the rainy season. We plead with all religious groups to refrain from such practices until the weather clears,” Khumalo said.
