The bodies of a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old man were found on Monday at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga. Police in the province have opened a judicial inquest into the deaths.
The pair have been identified as Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College in Johannesburg, and Ethan Coetzee, a recent matriculant from St Stithians Boys’ College who completed his schooling in 2025.
Colonel Mavela Masondo, a police spokesperson, confirmed that officers are investigating the deaths of a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman discovered at the lodge. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths were not immediately clear.
St Stithians College has issued tributes to both young people.
Cameron Waldeck-Cooks had attended the school since Grade R and was described by the Girls’ College as a valued and appreciated member of the school community. She was a dedicated and passionate rower who earned the respect of teammates and coaches through her commitment, perseverance and love of the sport. The school noted that she was a natural leader and mentor to many younger girls in the rowing programme, often acting in a supportive role that encouraged and inspired those around her. She is also remembered for her kindness, warmth and determination, approaching life with resilience, quiet strength and genuine care for others. The Girls’ College expressed deep condolences to the Waldeck-Cooks family and said the community stands with them in mourning the loss of a cherished student, daughter, sister and friend.
Ethan Coetzee completed his entire school career at the Boys’ College. The school described him as a young man of strength, commitment and humility who approached his interests with enthusiasm, whether in the classroom, on the rugby field, in equestrian sport or in service to others. He received rugby colours as a member of the first team and was a national champion in eventing. As a senior student in Penryn House he supported younger members of the house and sports teams. The school said he had a natural warmth and engaging personality that drew people to him and helped him form strong friendships. He had the ability to give others confidence, encourage them when needed and make those around him feel seen, valued and supported. St Stithians extended its condolences to Ethan’s family, friends, the matric class of 2025 and all who mourn his death.
Police investigations continue.
OTHER NEWS
Baby born in minibus taxi in Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal
A 27-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy inside a minibus taxi in the Verulam central business district on Wednesday morning, 5 August 2026.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received multiple calls for urgent medical assistance at approximately 10:06 after the woman went into labour while travelling in the vehicle. Paramedics and reaction officers arrived at the taxi rank on Ireland Street at 10:10. Upon arrival, they found that the mother had already delivered the baby inside the minibus taxi.
Paramedics immediately attended to both the mother and the newborn. They cut the umbilical cord and confirmed that both were stable. The mother and baby, identified as Baby Mbambo, were then transported to Osindisweni Government Hospital for further medical care.
Both the mother and Baby Mbambo were reported to be in a stable condition following the incident.
The birth occurred at the taxi rank on Ireland Street in Verulam, north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. RUSA, a private emergency response and security organisation that operates in the area, handled the call and the on-scene medical intervention before the transfer to hospital.
WATCH: Man electrocuted while allegedly making illegal electricity connection in Mamelodi East RDP
A man aged between 28 and 36 years, reportedly from Sekgosese in Limpopo, was electrocuted on or around 5 August 2026 while allegedly attempting an illegal electricity connection on a municipal pole in the Mamelodi East RDP area of Tshwane.
According to tip-offs circulating on social media, the individual was trying to connect to what is commonly known as “izinyoka” (illegal electricity connections) when the incident occurred. He was rushed to hospital for medical treatment. Reports describe him as originating from Sekgosese, a rural area in the Greater Letaba Local Municipality within Limpopo’s Mopani District.
Social media accounts sharing updates on crime and incidents in South Africa have reported the event, noting the existence of video footage of the scene. Some of these accounts have stated they will not circulate the video due to its sensitive and graphic nature, advising viewer discretion.
No official statements from the City of Tshwane, Eskom, or the South African Police Service confirming the man’s identity, condition, or precise circumstances had been publicly issued at the time of the initial reports. Details remain based on community tip-offs and unverified social media accounts.
Illegal electricity connections, referred to locally as izinyoka, have long been documented as a persistent issue in parts of Mamelodi East, including areas near RDP housing and informal settlements. These unauthorised connections typically involve tapping into municipal poles, transformers, or overhead lines without permission or proper safety measures. Authorities and utility providers have repeatedly warned that such practices overload infrastructure, cause frequent power outages for paying residents, damage equipment, and create serious electrocution and fire hazards for those making the connections as well as bystanders, including children.
Past incidents in Mamelodi East and surrounding areas have included electrocutions linked to exposed or poorly installed illegal cables. The City of Tshwane has conducted multiple operations targeting illegal connections in the broader Mamelodi area, including the removal of transformers, poles, and cables in informal settlements such as Phomolong. These efforts form part of wider campaigns against electricity theft and infrastructure vandalism, which officials have linked to revenue losses, network strain, and public safety risks.
Sekgosese, the area named in reports about the man’s origin, is a rural settlement in Limpopo. Migration between rural Limpopo communities and urban townships such as Mamelodi is common, with many residents seeking work or housing opportunities in the Tshwane metropolitan area.
Electricity safety guidelines from utilities emphasise that only authorised personnel or qualified electricians should work on electrical infrastructure. Illegal connections lack proper insulation, earthing, and protective devices, significantly increasing the risk of severe injury or death upon contact with live conductors.
Doing illegal connections ends in tears in Mamelodi East pic.twitter.com/pu1lPAr5dL
— PrimeTime News (@PrimeTimeNewsZA) August 5, 2026
Further details, including the man’s medical condition, any formal police investigation or inquest, and official confirmation from municipal or law-enforcement authorities, had not been released at the time of the initial tip-offs. Updates are expected as more information becomes available from official sources.
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