The infamous Witherow Dam Quarry in Heidedal has again claimed the life of two youngsters, this after their lifeless bodies were discovered this past weekend.
The Quarry, which is an old clay mining site filled with water, has made headlines over the past few years for a number of drownings. The incident involving two young people was confirmed by the Station Commander of the Heidedal Police Station, Colonel Itumeleng Pule, who in an exclusive interview told the publication that the two victims, who were aged 17 and 18, went to swim with two friends on Saturday around 14:00. The bodies were discovered by members of the South African Police Services after a three-hour search.
“We are investigating a case where two boys who were swimming at the quarry, drowned,” said Pule. He appealed to members of the Heidedal community and other communities to stay away from the Quarry, as it is dangerous. “My message to members of the community is that the area is very deep – about 30 meters deep. Children as well as adults must stop going to the Quarry for swimming and fishing, as it is dangerous,” said Pule.
Water-filled quarries are dangerous, as some tend to be very deep and cold. Unexpectedly cold water can cause a swimmer’s muscles to weaken; it could also cause shock and even hypothermia.
Community activist Gregory Werner said that the latest incidents left him frustrated and saddened. “I have been in close contact with the families of the victims and I understand and see the pain that they are suffering. These are poor people whom cannot afford expensive lawyers. I have opened up a case (CAS 75/09/16) in an attempt to seek justice for the victims’ families and to draw attention to the problem the Quarry poses, hoping to find an amicable solution,” said Werner.
According to Werner, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy ignored a petition from the community as well as high-ranking SAPS and NPA officials.
“To date no conclusive reason could be provided as to why the case is not attended to and in the meantime the lifeless bodies of children are stacking up while the status quo remains. Nobody moved a finger to seek a solution,” said Werner.
He also said that the fact that several people had died there without an attempt to make the area safe speaks to criminal negligence. “Because this is an old mine, there are laws that regulate how to deal with the safety aspects of the land. The landowners thus have a legal obligation to safeguard the community from the dangers of the old mine,” concluded Werner.
Pierce van Heerden
