Cops in the Free State warn residents to distance themselves from rivers, queries and holes full of water during this rainy festive season, to avoid unnecessary drownings.
It's reported that the province has many rivers and streams which require the assistance of men and women dedicated to protect, serve and save lives.
This after the 37 shocking recoveries and rescues made between October and December 2023.
Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the men and women in blue are seldom talked about, yet they are called when all has failed.
Kareli said the unit always puts their lives in danger, coming face to face with unknown and dangerous creatures underwater, yet they soldier on and complete their rescue or recovery.
ALSO READ: PICS: Four bodies recovered in KZN flash floods!
"These are men and women who have to deal with decomposed bodies, milky and muddy waters, and razor sharp objects swept by the waters in their daily line of work. The team has so far dealt with 37 recoveries and rescues from October to December in this festive season, from lakes and rivers throughout the province," he said.
Kareli said the team has rescued two boys and their dog from a tunnel in Thabong, Welkom recently.
"Nine boys were rescued alive that day. A man fell off his canoe and was rescued alive in Bainsvlei. Our members, who are also crime fighters, confiscated 20 illegal nets and a canoe belonging to illegal fishermen. They're currently deployed to assist in the Caledon River separating Lesotho and South Africa. They've made good success, including arrests and confiscation of a number of mattresses and other devices used for illegal border crossings," he said.
He said their main concern at the moment was people who tried to cross low-water bridges after rains, children who played unsupervised in water holes and children who went swimming unsupervised in dams.
“Illegal crossing of immigrants from Lesotho to South Africa that uses blow-up mattresses is also a huge concern. Not only is it illegal to cross the river like that, but they often fall from the mattresses and drown. We would like to warn residents to stay away from rivers, streams, dams to avoid unnecessary lost lives," said Kareli.
