Two Women Tragically Drown in Bramley During Apparent Cleansing Ritual
In a tragic incident in Bramley, north of Johannesburg, two women lost their lives after drowning in a supposed cleansing ritual along the Jukskei River.
Emergency services were called to the scene to rescue two other women who were swept away by a flash flood during the ceremony.
The Jukskei River is one of the largest rivers in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This unfortunate event has prompted a renewed warning from emergency services urging the public, especially traditional healers, to avoid conducting rituals in water bodies, particularly after heavy rains.
How the drowning occurred
The incident occurred when a group of congregants gathered in Bramley to perform a ritual along the Jukskei River.
Unfortunately, the ceremony took a devastating turn as four women were swept away by a sudden flash flood.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson Xolile Khumalo provided details, stating:
“Four women were swept away by a flash flood. Two women were rescued, while two others unfortunately drowned.”
In response to this tragic incident, EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo issued a heartfelt plea to the public, especially traditional healers, to exercise caution when conducting rituals near water bodies, particularly during the current season marked by heavy rains.
Khumalo emphasized the dangerous conditions of the rivers, cautioning against going into the water or performing baptisms during such periods.
She urged the community to prioritize safety and reconsider engaging in water-related ceremonies.
“We plead with the community of Johannesburg, especially traditional healers, to refrain from performing these ceremonies during this time of the year.
“The river levels are too high, and the raging waters are dangerous to go into or for anyone to be baptized in it,” stated EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo.
Coincidentally, the tragic incident occurred amid weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.
A yellow level 2 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and excessive lightning in Gauteng, North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga.