Cape Town football fraternity mourns tragic death of young player Jeandre Gaffoor

The Cape Town football fraternity has extended condolences to the family of talented Stellenbosch FC football player Jeandre Gaffoor, who drowned in De Villers Dam on the Constantia Nek hiking trail.

Friends of the 20-year-old told the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) he disappeared after going swimming in shallow water on Sunday.

Police have since opened an inquest docket to investigate the drowning.

Stellenbosch FC says Jeandre Gaffoor joined the club from Cape Town Spurs in 2024 and featured prominently in the DStv Diski Challenge last season.

The club says he will be remembered fondly by his teammates, coaches, and staff, and his loss will be felt across the club and wider football fraternity.

Other messages of condolences came from Gaffoor's former club, Cape Town Spurs, stating his sudden and tragic death has left the entire Spurs family in shock and mourning.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says police divers recovered Gaffoor's body from the dam on Sunday afternoon.

"Sadly, the man was declared deceased by paramedics. Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man," Lambinon said.

Gaffoor will be buried after his funeral on Saturday next week.