Bodies of two teachers and child found after boat accident at Mokolo Dam
The bodies of two teachers from Lephalale (Ellisras) in Limpopo and an 11-year-old boy were found after their boat crashed over the bank of the Mokolo Dam on Tuesday afternoon.
THE TRAGEDY PLAYED OFF AT THE MOKOLO DAM
The teacher couple, Mof and Mariëtte Weber went out on their boat on the dam at around sunset on Tuesday afternoon. They took 11-year-old Ruan van der Merwe along on the boat ride. Ruan and his family were camped next to the Weber couple.
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A LARGE-SCALE SEARCH WAS LAUNCHED
A large-scale search for the three was launched after they did not return in time on Tuesday. The search was suspended and resumed at dawn on Wednesday in cooperation with the police and the diving unit. A helicopter was also used in the search.
At around 14:00 on Wednesday, police divers found the body of Ruan. Wreckage of the boat was also found.
THE BODY OF 11-YEAR-OLD RUAN WAS FOUND ON WEDNESDAY
Ruan’s mother, Erika Minnie Koekemoer, told the media that her son had sustained visible injuries, such as several broken bones and bruises.
The bodies of the Weber couple were found on Thursday morning.
THE BODIES OF THE WEBER COUPLE WAS FOUND ON THURSDAY
Adriaan Joubert, principal of Ellisras High School, told the media the couple had been with the school since the 1980s. He described the events as an absolute tragedy.
Meanwhile, messages of condolences and tributes poured in for the beloved teachers on social media.
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