The family of a nine-year-old boy who drowned in the Ezimbokodweni River, last week, are still coming to terms with his untimely death.
His drowning has also raised concerns for the South Coast community as it follows that of a double drowning which occurred in Illovo, where the bodies of two girls were recovered from the Illovo River, on 11 April (South Coast Weekly Gazette, 19 April 2021). Police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, said, “An inquest docket is being investigated by KwaMakhutha SAPS after a nine-year-old boy drowned at Ezimbokodweni River on 21 April at 3.15pm. It is alleged that the victim was swimming when he got into difficulty and drowned. The body was recovered and the matter is still under investigation.”
Police divers from Durban SAPS Search and Rescue and Metro Police Search and Rescue recovered the body. Mpume Msomi, a KwaMakhutha resident, said the recent drownings are real cause for concern. “We are losing our children in these rivers. I’m urging all parents and guardians to teach the kids about the dangers of swimming and playing near rivers. My condolences to family.”
