A 34-year-old man has drowned after he went fishing with two friends.
A NIGHT fishing trip ends in tragedy.
This after a man drowned while trying to swim across the Xingwedzi River outside Malamulele, Limpopo.
The 34-year-old man, identified as Mathew Chauke, passed away in Mtititi Altein area on Saturday, 2 May, at about 9.15pm.
He was fishing with two friends when the deadly incident happened.
One of the men crossed to the opposite side of the river and called for Chauke to join him.
Chauke entered the water and tried to swim across, but it was a fatal mistake.
He struggled midstream and disappeared beneath the surface as his friends watched helplessly.
They pulled him from the water and tried desperately to save him, but it was too late.
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Limpopo police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said: “Malamulele police have opened an inquest docket following the drowning of a 34-year-old male at Mtititi Altein, Xingwedzi River on Saturday, 02 May 2026 at about 21:15.
“Police were on routine patrol duties when they received a complaint of a drowning incident at the river and rushed to the scene. On arrival, they were informed by two witnesses that they’d been fishing with the victim when the incident occurred.
“It’s alleged that one of the men crossed to the opposite side of the Xingwedzi River and called the deceased to join him. While attempting to swim across, the 34-year-old got into difficulty and drowned. The witnesses managed to retrieve him from the water and attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.”
When Emergency Medical Services arrived, they declared Chauke dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that his next of kin identified him as Mathew Chauke.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe extended condolences to the family.
She warned communities to be extra cautious around rivers and dams, especially at night and during the rainy season.