The body of a police officer who was swept away by floods on Friday has been found in Mofolo South, Soweto.
Johannesburg emergency management services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the body was found in on Sunday.
“A family member has confirmed that the body that has been found in Mofolo South is indeed that of the police officer who was swept away by floods on Friday,” said Khumalo.
National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the body of W/O Ntsako Pataka was recovered on Sunday morning in Soweto. Mathe said at the time of his death, the off-duty officer’s private vehicle was swept away during floods caused by the heavy downpour on Friday.
Pataka, 36, was attached to the division of protection and security services, where he served as an in-transit VIP protector. He joined the police in 2007. On Saturday night, Khumalo said a Johannesburg police officer had been reported missing in Soweto.
“It is alleged the police officer was driving with his two colleagues on Friday when they were swept away by the floods. One colleague has opened a case of a missing person,” said Khumalo. She said the other two officers managed to escape the heavy floods. One of the officers has been admitted to hospital.
The search for a missing three-month-old baby, who was swept away by floods after the Jukskei river tragedy that claimed the lives of 15 people last week still continues.
kokam@sowetan.co.za
Body of cop who died in Soweto floods recovered
Image: Supplied/ SAPS
The body of a police officer who was swept away by floods on Friday has been found in Mofolo South, Soweto.
Johannesburg emergency management services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the body was found in on Sunday.
“A family member has confirmed that the body that has been found in Mofolo South is indeed that of the police officer who was swept away by floods on Friday,” said Khumalo.
National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the body of W/O Ntsako Pataka was recovered on Sunday morning in Soweto. Mathe said at the time of his death, the off-duty officer’s private vehicle was swept away during floods caused by the heavy downpour on Friday.
Pataka, 36, was attached to the division of protection and security services, where he served as an in-transit VIP protector. He joined the police in 2007. On Saturday night, Khumalo said a Johannesburg police officer had been reported missing in Soweto.
“It is alleged the police officer was driving with his two colleagues on Friday when they were swept away by the floods. One colleague has opened a case of a missing person,” said Khumalo. She said the other two officers managed to escape the heavy floods. One of the officers has been admitted to hospital.
The search for a missing three-month-old baby, who was swept away by floods after the Jukskei river tragedy that claimed the lives of 15 people last week still continues.
kokam@sowetan.co.za
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