15-year-old drowns at Mogalakwena River

Police in Limpopo have opened an inquest following the drowning of a 15-year-old boy at the Mogalakwena River,
Mokopane on Friday, 23 January 2026.

According to reports, the boy was part of a group of six youths from Marulaneng Village who went to the river to swim.

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During the outing, the victim was allegedly swept away by strong floodwaters.

Community members and parents were alerted, and an immediate search was conducted. However, efforts to locate the boy were unsuccessful.

A formal search and rescue operation commenced on Saturday morning, 24 January 2026, at around 08:00, with assistance from the Mogalakwena Mine Rescue Team.

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Despite extensive search efforts, the boy’s body has not yet been recovered.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has urged community members to exercise extreme caution around rivers and other flood-prone areas, especially during the rainy season.