Religious and traditional leaders schooled by Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) on a water safety campaign at the Jukskei River on Sunday. The purpose was to educate religious and traditional leaders on how to conduct safe rituals at river streams.
LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
This comes days after the body of Ayaphiwe Ndothi and a man who is yet to be identified were recovered from the Kliprivier in Olifantsvlei. The 18- and 21-year-olds were washed away during an alleged cleansing ceremony. EMS spokesperson Robert Maluadzi said it was important to have these campaigns because of the rising numbers they see in similar ceremonies around this time of the year. "Last December, 15 people lost their lives after being swept away during a baptism ceremony at the Jukskei River. We are conscientising our traditional healers, prophets, and pastors to ensure safety among congregants when conducting such rituals. So, we are here to ensure they have the knowledge on how they can conduct these kinds of rituals safely," said Mulaudzi.
NEVER GAVE UP
The body of a second person who was washed away during a cleansing ceremony in Kliprivier was found after five days. The 21-year-old was found on Friday morning. Meanwhile four days after the search the body of Ayaphiwe Ndothi was recovered on Thursday. EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the forensic department is also involved in the identification process. "This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with attempting to cross rivers during cleansing ceremonies or other activities,? said Khumalo. Khumalo added:Joburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo: ?EMS continues to urge the community of Johannesburg, traditional healers and abomakhosi to please practise caution when performing ceremonies and rituals at the rivers.? This latest incident comes a week after search and rescue teams recovered the body of an unidentified teenage boy from the Klipspruit stream. The 18-year-old was swept away last Tuesday after he apparently tried to cross the stream from Klipspruit West to Kliptown, EMS said at the time.
