The police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the police’s investigation into the search of the two scholars Siphiwe Mlangeni and Moratehi Radebe will continue on Monday to try and retrieve their bodies. 

He says the search, which included the SAPS Diving Unit, was previously called off due to the high level of water and heavy current in that area. It's alleged that Mlangeni and Radebe were with another schoolboy of their age, and were walking together to the river next to the railway line, not far from their homes, to pick up herbs. This was before the two scholars at LT Nhlabathi School went missing at about 10:00 on Thursday 4 March 2021.

Makhele adds that the search will on Monday resume after arrangements were made to close sluices.

This is the second tragic incident to hit the province following the drowning of 7 kids and one adult last month in Steynsrus, which falls under the Moqhaka Local Municipality. Bethlehem falls under the Dihlabeng Local Municipality.

“The search will resume this morning to check if the boys indeed drowned and to retrieve their bodies,” he adds.

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