MAMELODI – A traditional cleansing ceremony ended in heartbreak on Sunday, 3 August 2025, when a mother and her three adult children tragically drowned in a quarry dam in Pienaarsport, Mamelodi, Gauteng.
According to police reports, the family was performing a spiritual cleansing ritual in the Delfie Quarry Dam when the incident occurred. The victims have been identified as a 51-year-old mother, her 36-year-old daughter, and two sons, both in their twenties. It is believed that all four entered the water as part of the ritual, but tragically, none of them made it out alive.
The alarm was raised by the woman’s youngest child, a seven-year-old daughter, who had accompanied the family to the dam but did not participate in the ritual. When her family failed to return from the water, the child sought help, prompting an emergency response.
South African Police Ser
vice (SAPS) divers were dispatched to the scene on Sunday evening. Upon arrival, the search and rescue team discovered the lifeless bodies of the mother and daughter floating on the surface of the dam. Due to the dam’s depth and poor visibility, the two sons could not be located immediately.
The search for the missing sons continued into the following day. On Monday, 4 August, police divers were finally able to retrieve the bodies of the two young men from the water. The recovery efforts were made challenging by the dam’s uneven floor and significant depth, which delayed the operation by several hours.
Police confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened at the Boschkop Police Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. While the full details are yet to be confirmed, early indications suggest that the drowning occurred during the traditional cleansing process, which often involves full-body immersion in water.
Community members have expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, with many highlighting the need for greater awareness of the dangers of using deep or unfamiliar water sources for rituals. “It’s truly heartbreaking,” said a local resident. “They were simply trying to observe their beliefs and ended up losing their lives.”
Traditional healers and community leaders have since urged families to take extra precautions when conducting rituals in natural water bodies. Suggestions include checking the depth of the water beforehand, ensuring that participants can swim, and having safety measures such as ropes or flotation devices on hand.
The names of the deceased have not been officially released, pending further investigation and family notification.
Authorities have also extended psychological support to the surviving child, who is currently in the care of relatives. Social workers have been assigned to provide trauma counselling.
The SAPS has assured the public that investigations are ongoing and have encouraged any witnesses or community members with information to come forward.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety when conducting cultural and religious practices near open water.
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