Hardap Drownings a Concern

Luqman Cloete

23 June 2011

Police statistics reveal that six people have drowned in the canal at the Hardap Irrigation Scheme between January 2010 and June this year.

Hardap Police Commissioner Kobus Meyer says the latest drowning was reported when the body of Jeremia Swartz (51) was found in the canal last Wednesday.

Swartz allegedly left his home at around 16h00 to go and sell empty bottles. His body was found in the canal the next morning.

The canal is estimated to be two metres deep, according Meyer.

Alcohol was a factor in most of the drowning deaths, he added.

Meyer said the canal was fenced off as a safety measure, but the fencing material was stolen shortly afterwards.

“There was talk of putting up lights along the canal as another precautionary measure, but this did not materialise,” he added.

Expressing concern over the drowning incidents, Hardap governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa yesterday said there is a need to come up with a solution.

“Seriously, there is currently nothing to remedy the situation. The drowning deaths are becoming a serious, thus a stakeholders’ approach is what we need to collectively look at how to address the situation,” said Hanse-Himarwa.

Previous interventions such as fencing off the canal did prove successful, she said.

She urged people to be cautious when walking along the canal.

“Avoid walking along the canal while under the influence of alcohol, rather stay at home,” Hanse-Himarwa urged.

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