Doctor among 5 dead in Margate floods

Five people died in a flash flood that devastated Margate on Sunday night.

Three people were found dead in a car between Margate and Ramsgate on Monday morning this week. One of them was identified as Dr Sihle Lutango (30), who worked in the anaesthetics department at Port Shepstone Regional Hospital.

It is believed that the car, which belonged to Lutango, had washed down a stream near the N2 freeway.

At first, speculation was that it was a family of three, but it was later discovered that the victims were two men and a woman.

Emotions ran high at the scene as police search and rescue personnel used the Jaws of Life to extricate the bodies from the overturned car.

Lutango’s mother, Nosipho, described her son as a people’s person. She said he was the first person in the family to get a job and he was the breadwinner.

“He studied very hard, we struggled as he was growing up because we are from a very disadvantaged background.”

The emotional mother said it is difficult to come to terms with his death.

Although the family is from Port St John’s, Lutango had been living in Margate.

Tributes poured in on social media for the young doctor who was described as sociable and humble.

The spokesperson for the hospital, Phumza Morai, said Lutango started as a medical officer in January 2022.

“Despite his young age, he demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion for his work. He was an enthusiastic and diligent professional, always eager to go beyond his duties. His sudden and tragic loss has deeply affected the department, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill.”

In a separate incident on the same night, a 26 year old man was struck and killed by lightning in Gcilima.

A fifth person was found dead in KwaMasinenge, it is believed he was washed away by the floods.