Religious Communities To To Halt Baptism After Drowning Tragedy

Johannesburg emergency management services (EMS) has warned religious communities to hold back on baptism at the Jukskei River and be vigilant and cautious around the river at this time of the season.

“We cannot overemphasise: stay away from running water or streams,” said Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said on Tuesday.

She warned that flash floods happen quickly and that people should not rely on swimming.

Khumalo briefed the media outside the Sandton fire station on Tuesday as the search for the victims of Saturday's Jukskei River baptism tragedy continued.

The search began on the Sandton section of the river.

In the afternoon, they navigated through the debris and river banks towards Witkoppen.

The remains of candles, snuff and empty boxes of milk are some of the items left on the river banks where the alleged baptism is believed to have taken place.

“Our search team are using croc boats and we also have a team walking inside the river searching.

"We are continuing with the search and won’t stop unless there is another thunderstorm,” she said.

She was unsure of the exact number, but she believes three people are still missing.

“We are going through the river, continuing the search and hoping to find the people.

"If the storm hits again, we will stop and continue when it’s calm.”

The death toll from flash floods during the baptism ceremony now stands at 14.

"So far, 13 bodies have been identified by their loved ones, with one body still unknown."

The youngest victim is a three-month-old baby, and the oldest is a woman in her sixties.

According to Khumalo, the pastor allegedly did not take one person at a time for baptism, but rather the entire group.

Johannesburg emergency services assured the missing people's families that the search would continue.

The search was called off on Monday due to a severe storm.