The bodies of two learners from Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School in Centane who drowned yesterday, March 16, were found by community members lying alongside the river after they attempted to cross the Cebe Bridge.
The 15-year-old was a grade 8 learner and the 19-year-old girl was in grade 11.
They allegedly drowned while they were attempting to cross the bridge as they were on their way home.
According to the headman of the area, Zingisa Nonxuba, it is alleged that due to heavy rain the school management decided to allow the learners to go home earlier.
He said when the incident happened the victims were crossing the bridge with four other learners who survived.
“While they were crossing the bridge, they were swept away by heavy floods. Their bodies were found by community members who managed to search for them,” said Nonxuba.
“We are still shocked about this and because the rain only started this morning (yesterday) we did not expect something like this to happen.”
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket for investigation following the drowning of the two learners.
“Police were summoned to an incident and on arrival they were informed that two bodies were found by community members. The other four learners were rescued by the community members. They were walking back from school at Ncedisizwe Senior Secondary School,” said Kinana.
