Joburg EMS urges residents to keep children safe after teen drowns in New Canada

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services (EMS) is urging residents to keep children safe following the drowning of an 18-year-old in New Canada.  

The city's EMS reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) water wing discovered the young man in a mining quarry around 6 pm on Saturday. 

Residents are encouraged to use public swimming pools available in all seven regions of Johannesburg to ensure safety.  

EMS's Xolile Khumalo said: "Please ensure that children do not wander off in abandoned areas and mines and please ensure that kids do not swim in rivers and streams.  

"The City of Johannesburg’s EMS would also like to send a message to all religious groups that perform ceremonies in rivers to ensure that these ceremonies are not performed on rainy days."