During the heavy rains and flooding that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal more than two years ago, a Welbedacht man together with his home washed away and was never to be seen again.
Jayishwar Baijlall was allegedly asleep when the property behind his home washed onto his, causing his home to slide about 50 meters down a steep bank with some of his belongings located near a river.
After an intense search for the pensioner, who would have been 62 this year, family members, who remained uneasy for two years and not having to the opportunity to perform the final rights of their loved one, finally received closure when DNA results of skeletal remains found in the Welbedacht area a few months ago matched Jayishwar’s.
Brother of the deceased, Rakesh Baijlall, said: “We felt a great sense of relief and finally found some closure. He was my elder brother and we had a four-year age gap. When I received the news that skeletal remains were found in the area that he lived in, I went forward and asked SAPS to assist in getting a DNA report as I had a gut feeling that it was my brother’s remains.
“We are preparing to cremate my brother on 19 October as we await the paperwork from the Pinetown Mortuary. We did have a memorial for him in June last year which was a year after his body washed away. He was a humble person who was always willing to help others. He loved watching soccer and horse racing. The family wishes to thank each person who went the extra mile to bring closure.”
Renegades Search and Rescue along with Reaction Unit of South Africa, police and community members joined the search for Jayishwar two years ago.
Dawn Gounden, Renegades Search and Rescue spokesperson, said: “It is heartbreaking to hear about the tragedy surrounding Jayishwar, who lost his life in the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods. After such a long and painful wait, his family can finally have some closure with the discovery of his remains, almost two years after he was swept away.
“The dedication of Renegades Search and Rescue, along with the support of the family and community, reflects the tireless effort put into searching for him. While this marks the end of an emotional rollercoaster for his loved ones, it also allows them to say their final goodbyes and honour his memory. May his soul rest in peace.”
