Monday, April 16, 2018

Aspiring actor Odwa Shweni dead during rehearsal of scene for the film Outside, after he plunged over the Sterkspruit waterfall.

The aspiring actor Odwa Shweni (39), an IT specialist living in Centurion, died on Thursday last week after he plunged more than 40 metres to his death over a waterfall in the Drakenberg during rehearsals for the film Outside, with Winterton detectives who have opened an inquest.

Odwa Shweni, who was married with two small children, was with a film crew doing a rehearsal for a fight scene for a movie shoot when he fell over the waterfall and died. 

His body was recovered on Friday morning at the Sterkspruit waterfall close to Monk's Cowl where he slipped and fell.

The waterfall that has a small pool with several rocks, was at full strength due to recent rains.

According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Thulani Zwane the actor fell and died around 17:15 and the police's search and rescue unit was unable to look for him since it was too dark and dangerous. 

His body was removed from the water on Friday morning at around 10:00 with members from Search and Rescue from Pietermaritzburg and Empangeni who were at the scene.

According to the police an investigation will be started after allegations of a lack safety standards from the Outside film production crew who allegedly entered the park as day visitors, paying R40.

The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) says it will also be asking questions about the alleged lack of safety on set at Outside during the film rehearsal.

South Africa lacks and has no official, regulated national safety protocol for local film production, unlike the case for overseas productions.

Most film productions and production companies however have insurance that requires safety protocols and adherence to this.