A man drowned on Thursday, 13 November 2025, after attempting to escape a group of community members in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, prompting the South African Police Service (SAPS) to open an inquest into the incident.
According to Warrant Officer Basheer Khan, Ladysmith SAPS spokesperson, Visible Policing Officers responded to a call early on Thursday morning.
Upon arrival, they were directed to the body of a man who had drowned shortly before police reached the scene.
It was alleged that the deceased had been accused of a serious sexual offence and was being chased by the community, Warrant Officer Khan explained. He added that in an attempt to evade the crowd, the man jumped into the Klip River.
Despite efforts to swim across, the current quickly overpowered him. Witnesses reported seeing the man struggle before disappearing beneath the water.
His body was later retrieved by a community member.
“Detectives have opened and are investigating an Inquest, and the deceased has not yet been identified,” Khan said.
The incident highlights the dangers that arise when communities attempt to take matters into their own hands. What began as a serious allegation escalated into a fatal pursuit, drawing renewed attention to calls from authorities urging residents to allow the legal process to run its course.
Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the events to come forward to assist investigators in establishing a clear account of what occurred.
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