Drowning victim warned not to swim

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KAROO NEWS - A devastating tragedy marred the serene atmosphere at the Nqweba Dam as a 35-year-old man lost his life in a drowning Tuesday, 14 November.

Vukile Mayekiso, a municipal worker, met an unfortunate fate when an outing with friends turned into a nightmare.

PHOTO GALLERY: Drowning at Nqweba Dam shocks town

Mayekiso had just returned home from his job at the DBNLM when his friends turned up at his house with cooldrink and invited him to join them for a walk to the dam. He was still recuperating from a broken leg and using crutches, but decided to join them despite his physical condition.

His father, Jafta Smith, says that Mayekiso went to his room to put the crutches away, greeted him and went off with his friends.

Jafta says that he was still at home when a girl came running to tell him about the tragic incident that just happened at the dam. He says that he ran to the scene only to find the lifeless body of his son at the edge of the dam.

According to his sister, Lucinda Smith, the friends told her that they were engaged in some activity involving substances at the dam when Mayekiso, against his friends' advice, attempted to swim. It is alleged that, due to his leg injury and inability to swim, he slipped under the water, and his friends' attempts to rescue him proved futile. Eyewitnesses revealed that despite warnings about the dangers, the friends went into the dam area. When they realised the severity of the situation, they alerted emergency services and attempted CPR. Regrettably, their efforts were in vain.

The incident drew law enforcement and forensic officials to the scene, where family members, including Mayekiso's father and younger brother, Shone Smith, were present. The police took statements from the friends while forensic authorities took custody of the body.

Describing Mayekiso as a humble and peace-loving person, Lucinda expressed her shock and disbelief upon hearing the tragic news while at work. She mentioned that the family is deeply concerned for their father, now the sole remaining parent in their close-knit family. She says that her father had the difficult task of identifying him at the dam.

Mayekiso, who had been employed in road maintenance since June, leaves behind a grieving family - his father, siblings and a child. The family now have to face the immense void left by him.

According to a bystander, drownings at the dam is nothing new. It happens at least once a year because people do not heed the warning signs and ignore the barricade the municipality has set up to prevent people from entering the dam.

The above narrative is based on accounts shared by eyewitnesses and family members. Investigations into the incident continue.

According to Col Priscilla Naidu, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Police, a group of friends went to the Nqweba Dam to swim. Mayekiso and one of his friends were in the water when Mayekiso experienced some difficulty and drowned. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation.

Police and Forensics at the scene where the incident occurred.