Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says the body of a scholar at the LT Nhlabathi Primary School, Moratehi Radebe, was found at the said river on Wednesday. 

The 14-year-old Radebe and his school mate, Siphiwe Mlangeni (14) went missing on Thursday last week after school. It's alleged that Radebe and Mlangeni 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 herbs. Mlangeni is still missing and Makhele adds that the search for him continues. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of Radebe's death.

The search, which included the SAPS Diving Unit, was previously called off due to the high level of water and heavy current in the river. It's understood that the divers were worried about the high water levels at the dam.

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

OFM News