Three people drowned in Embalenhle, in Mpumalanga, while being baptised in Wellas River behind Ext 22, on Sunday.
They include a 59-year-old woman and two teenagers (17 and 19).
The police said Search and Rescue team recovered the bodies, which were declared deceased at the scene.
As a result, police in Embalenhle opened an inquest docket.
Police urged community members to exercise extreme caution when conducting activities in and around open water.
Picture: SAPS newsroom