- The body of the Grade 8 learner from Mary Waters High School was found in the Kowie Stream on Wednesday morning after she went missing on Tuesday.
- Executive Mayor Yandiswa Vara visited the girl’s family on Tuesday to update them on the search before news came that her body had been found.
A 14-year-old Grade 8 learner from Mary Waters High School died after being swept away by strong currents in the Kowie River near Lavender Valley.
She had been trying to cross the river on her way home from school on Tuesday. Her body was found in the Kowie Stream on Wednesday morning.
Makana Local Municipality Executive Mayor Yandiswa Vara along with other municipal officials visited the girl’s family on Tuesday to update them on the search. Shortly after their visit, news came that her body had been discovered.
Vara said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young girl. We are saddened by the tragic loss of her young life.”
She said the municipality had been working with police and other teams to find the girl since learning she had gone missing.
Heavy rain also caused serious damage across Makana on Tuesday. Formal and informal houses were damaged, trees were uprooted and fell onto properties, and electrical substations and cables were damaged. Stormwater drains were blocked, which caused roads to flood.
The municipality held a meeting in front of City Hall on Tuesday before officials visited affected areas to assess the damage.
Makana Municipality said its teams are on the ground to report the destruction to the relevant authorities for a swift response.
Pictured above: Police and community members gathered near the area where the learner was
swept away.
Image source: Makana Local Municipality
