The Johannesburg Emergency Services will today resume the search for two bodies swept away at Kliprivier in Soweto during a cleansing ceremony.

EMS spokesperson Robert Maluadzi said the incident happened on Saturday night during a church cleansing ceremony. He said the search was for an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man. "The search and recovery operation has been called off for now and will resume this morning," said Mulaudzi on Sunday. The incident comes just two days after another teenager's body was recovered in the same river on Wednesday, after he drowned. The 18-year-old boy was swept away on Tuesday afternoon as he attempted to cross the river.

Mulaudzi urged residents to exercise caution when they are conducting baptism rituals to prevent incidents like this one. "Traditional healers, prophets, and pastors are urged to ensure the safety of congregants while conducting these cleansing or baptism rituals," he said. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said, "The body of the 18-year-old boy who allegedly drowned in Soweto was recovered by emergency services. The matter is being handled by the SAPS, we have since opened an inquest docket for further investigation,".