The body of a 36-year-old 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 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.
Warrant officer Ntsako Pataka’s body was found on Sunday morning in Mofolo South, with his service pistol still on him.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the Gauteng police spokesperson, said the body of 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 which were caused by heavy downpours on Friday.
She said Pataka was attached to the SAPS Protection and Security Services where he served as a VIP protector and had been a member of the police for 15 years. He joined the police in 2007.
“It is alleged that 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,” Khumalo said.
She said the other two officers were able to escape the heavy floods. One of the officers has been admitted to hospital.
On Sunday morning, rescue teams searched Mofolo South for the officer and found a body.
National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, thanked the search and recue officers and emergency personnel who worked tirelessly to recover Pataka’s body.
“This is a tragic ending for us as SAPS and the family of the member… we were hoping for a positive outcome. We thank all teams involved in this operation for their efforts in finding the body of the deceased member,” he said.
Police psychologists and chaplains have been sent to provide psychosocial services to Pataka’s family and friends.
Source: Sowetan Live, News24, Jacaranda FM, Daily Sun, image from Twitter: @SAgovnews