Another tragic river cleansing ritual claimed the lives of two women this morning in Bramley, next to Alexandra. EMS search and rescue team responded to a drowning which initially involved four women.

EMS spokesperson Xoli Khumalo said It is alleged that a group of congregants were performing a cleansing ritual when four women were swept away by a flash flood around 11:20 am. "Two women were rescued and two drowned during the incident. One body was recovered in Morningside and the other in Witkoppen, along Juskei River," said Khumalo, emphasising that it is dangerous to conduct rituals and ceremonies at the river during the rainy season. "We plead with all religious groups to refrain from such practices until the weather clears," said Khumalo.

In November last year, a couple drowned while performing a ritual cleansing at the Kliprivier. The 18-year-old woman and 21-year-old man were found days apart by a team of rescuers, who had tirelessly searched for them. "Safety should be paramount and checking the water levels is key. Going into the river after it has rained is dangerous as the river flows heavily," said Khumalo.