Mamelodi Community Mourns as Traditional Ritual Turns Tragic at Delfie Quarry Dam
A heartbreaking tragedy has left the Mamelodi community in mourning after a family of four drowned during a traditional cleansing ritual at the Delfie Quarry Dam on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
The victims were a 51-year-old mother, her 36-year-old daughter, and two sons in their twenties. According to witnesses, the ritual took a devastating turn when strong currents swept them away.
The only survivor from the immediate family, a seven-year-old girl, was watching from the shore and did not take part in the ceremony. In shock, she raced home to raise the alarm, prompting neighbours and emergency services to rush to the scene.
When rescuers arrived, they found the bodies of the mother and daughter floating on the water. The search for the two sons, however, had to be postponed until the next morning because of the dam’s depth. Police divers returned at first light on Monday and, after a 40-minute underwater search, recovered the young men’s bodies.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the details, adding that an inquest docket has been opened as investigations into the incident continue.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents visiting the dam to lay flowers, light candles, and urge greater safety awareness during cultural and spiritual practices.
Counselling support has been arranged for the young survivor, who is now staying with relatives. For many in Mamelodi, the incident is not just a loss of life—it is a painful reminder of how quickly a moment of tradition can turn into heartbreak.
-Deeprows News
