Northern Cape police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of two boys, who drowned on Wednesday in Delportshoop. 14-year-old Falake Bebeza and 13-year-old Tlotlo Baranye attempted to swim in the Hartsrivier. Northern Cape and Northwest Search and Rescue Units retrieved the bodies of the boys on Friday. Their families are shattered
The teenagers reportedly disappeared under the water and failed to resurface. Bebeza and Baranye were friends; Bebeza was in grade 7 and Baranye in grade 6.
Their grieving families say the pain is unbearable.
Bebeza’s father, Zenzele Bebeza, blames the death of his son on what he calls the slow reaction and assistance from authorities.
“I want the police to fully apologize to me. When I asked for help at the police, no one assisted me. I think if they came on time when I went to the police station, my son would still be alive. They delayed.”
The other grieving family says it is difficult to process what happened.
It will take years for Baranye’s distraught mother, Suzan, to come to terms with how her son lost his life, saying the pain cuts deep.
“I am very hurt. I have never felt so much pain. It really hurts. I don’t know if I will ever get over it. I miss him already. What happened is very painful,” Suzan explains.
Northern Cape Police spokesperson, Cherelle Ehlers, says their search was hindered by bad weather.
“The search operation was hampered due to inclement weather conditions. Delportshoop police, together with the Northern Cape and North West search and rescue units, worked tirelessly in precarious conditions to recover the bodies of the boys. On Friday, 28 March 2025, at approximately 10:00, one body was retrieved, and at about 10:45, the second body was retrieved.”
Police encourage communities to observe and exercise caution around bodies of water and to always prioritise their safety. The two teenagers will be laid to rest next week Saturday.
Nthati Moloi
www.sabcnews.com
