Limpopo — Police in Tinmyne have opened an inquest following the drowning of a 15-year-old boy in the Mogalakwena River near a local hospital on Friday, 23 January 2026.
According to police, the teenager was part of a group of six boys from Marulaneng Village who had gone to the river to swim. It is alleged that the boy was swept away by a strong current while in the water.
Community members and parents were alerted shortly after the incident, but efforts to locate the boy on Friday were unsuccessful. Police were subsequently notified, and the Police Rescue Team was activated.
A coordinated search and recovery operation began on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at around 08:00, with assistance from the Mogalakwena Mine Rescue Team. Despite extensive search efforts conducted along the river, the boy had still not been found at the time of reporting.
Inquest following the drowning of a 15-year-old boy at the Mogalakwena Riverhttps://t.co/LRL5A7q0Md#ArriveAlive #Drowning @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/HM1CGNctoW
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 26, 2026
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, appealed to residents to be vigilant around rivers, especially during the rainy season.
“The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has urged community members to exercise caution near rivers and flood-prone areas, particularly during the rainy season,” police said in a statement.
Police confirmed that investigations into the incident are continuing, while search operations remain ongoing as authorities work to locate the missing teenager.
The incident adds to growing concerns about water safety during periods of heavy rainfall, which often result in strong currents and swollen rivers across parts of the province.
Authorities have repeatedly warned communities against swimming in rivers under such conditions.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
