The body of 22-year-old Mhlasini resident Bandile Ntaka was recovered four days after he was swept out to sea and drowned at uMdloti Beach.
Ntaka drowned after experiencing difficulties while swimming with friends. Members of the Ntaka family and a local councillor approached Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), requesting for assistance after the incident. Officers proceeded to the beach and interviewed the four friends who had been swimming with him.
Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram said: “According to the group, Ntaka experienced difficulties while swimming. Lifeguards entered the water and managed to reach him before moving him onto rocks. A freak wave subsequently struck, sweeping both Ntaka and the lifeguards from the rocks. While the lifeguards managed to return to safety, sighting of Ntaka was thereafter lost.”
Rusa’s Robinson R44 helicopter lifted off to conduct an aerial search for the victim but was unsuccessful, and the search was suspended when darkness set in. Search and body recovery efforts from the shoreline were also suspended due to rough sea conditions.
Over the next three days, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue Unit and Rusa conducted extensive shoreline and aerial searches for the missing man. This changed when a group of fishermen spotted the body near the shoreline and alerted a security officer. Balram said: “The officer, together with his colleagues, entered the water and recovered the deceased.”
This latest drowning incident follows the tragic loss of 54-year-old former Navy officer and uMhlanga businessman Tony Govender, who drowned while attempting to retrieve a drifting jet ski during his birthday celebrations at Hazelmere Dam. His body was recovered after a five-day search operation carried out by police and private security companies.
In December 2025, a 17-year-old boy from Verulam was swept out to sea and presumed drowned at Umdloti Beach. Search operations were launched but had to be halted due to poor conditions.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) lists essential guidelines to stay safe while swimming. For ocean and beach safety, they advise swimming with lifeguards only at designated beaches and strictly between the red and yellow flags. They warn that rip currents often appear as calm channels of water flowing out to sea; if caught, swimmers should not panic or swim against them, but rather float, conserve energy, wave for help and swim parallel to the shore to escape.
For inland and pool safety, the NSRI advises active supervision of children by a designated sober adult, warning that drowning is silent and fast. Children should not be allowed to play on floating toys in deep water, as wind can carry them into danger. Swimmers are also urged to be cautious of river currents, which can be strong and unpredictable.
In emergency situations, the NSRI advises against attempting dangerous rescue efforts and instead recommends throwing a flotation device if available. The NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre can be reached at 087 094 9774.
