Cop woman drowns during cleansing ritual!

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via WhatsAppShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInNewsCop woman drowns during cleansing ritual! By: Lucky Nkuyane • 8h agoAdd as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsListen to this article-00:00lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandThe family of a policewoman Dimakatso Getrude Boqo (49), who drowned during a cleansing ritual, is struggling to come to terms with her death. (Supplied) Family mourns loss and demands answers THE family of a policewoman, who drowned during a cleansing ritual, is struggling to come to terms with her death.

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Dimakatso Getrude Boqo (49), who served at the Potchefstroom Police Station near Ikageng in the JB Marks Municipality for 20 years, drowned in a river at Scandinavia Farm in the Free State on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

Her family is angry with Viljoenskroon police, accusing them of failing to communicate with them after the tragedy.

Boqo was buried on Saturday, 19 September.

Her aunt, Mojabeng Elizabeth Rampai, told Daily Sun the family battled to get information about where Boqo’s body was kept.

“Police from Viljoenskroon, before the funeral, have never ever spoken to us until Ikageng police helped us. It seemed as if we were never going to receive the body of our beloved,” said Elizabeth.

She said the family was also not told whether anyone would be arrested over the incident.

“Viljoenskroon police have never given us a lead as to what’s happening with the case. They’ve not said whether they’ll arrest the pastor or not. They’ve failed us,” she said.

Elizabeth said Boqo didn’t have kids and had been seeking help and blessings from a prophet because she wanted a baby.

“She didn’t have children. It’s one of the things that made her seek help and blessings from the prophet. She questioned why she’s not blessed with kids,” said Elizabeth.

Free State police spokeswoman Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed that an inquest docket is investigated by Viljoenskroon police.

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“Preliminary information indicates that the deceased was in the river while allegedly conducting a cleansing ritual when she became unconscious in the water,” said Rani.

She said a family member was at the scene and ER24 was called, but Boqo was declared dead at the scene.

Traditional healers have also questioned the way the ritual was conducted.

Simon Makhafane, chairman of traditional healers in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, said the procedure was botched and proper safety measures should have been put in place.

“How do you not foresee danger as a prophet? These are things that lead people to question our abilities. He failed to secure a proper place and have someone to help in case of emergency,” said Makhafane.

He claimed the bishop had since been stopped from taking people to perform rituals.

I have over 10 years of experience as a Journalist. I cover mainly politics, including Municipality and Legislature, and community-based stories such as protests among others including crime and courts

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