Rescue teams recovered the body of a Grade 8 pupil Endinako Dudu on Wednesday, 26 February after she was swept away by strong currents.
Rescue teams recovered the body of grade 8 pupil Endinako Dudu on Wednesday, 26 February.
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This was after she was swept away by strong currents in a stream between Lavender Valley and the Oval.
The teenager, who attended Mary Waters High School, was reported missing on Tuesday, 25 February.
She failed to return home from school following heavy downpours in the Makana Local Municipality.
Municipal spokesman Anele Mjekula said search-and-rescue teams were activated immediately.
“Search-and-rescue teams had already been arranged to resume operations on Wednesday, with divers from Nxuba and East London scheduled to assist,” he said.
He added that air support arrangements were underway and drones were deployed to help in the search operation.
The tragedy happened as heavy rains left a trail of destruction across Makana on Tuesday.
Mjekula said an assessment meeting was held outside City Hall on Wednesday morning to evaluate the damage in affected areas.
Officials confirmed that both formal and informal homes were damaged.
In some cases, trees were uprooted, damaging properties and infrastructure, including electrical substations and cables.
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Several roads were flooded due to blocked stormwater drains.
Authorities said assessments are ongoing as teams continue working around the clock to assist affected communities.
