Family appeal for witnesses after daughter’s death in uMhlanga
Sinead Moodliar died a day after being rescued from a near-drowning on uMhlanga Beach.
A UK family have appealed for witnesses to come forward following the death of their daughter in uMhlanga over the festive season.
Sinead Moodliar was rescued by lifeguards on uMhlanga Beach after being dragged out to sea on 26 December 2018. The 19-year-old, who was on holiday in uMhlanga, was admitted to hospital in a critical but stable condition but later passed away.
Speaking to Northglen News, her father, Bob Moodliar, said he and his wife were devastated by the loss of their daughter.
“We first learnt about what had happened when we were back in the UK. Some of our family members who live in South Africa rushed to the hospital and advised us to come down. As we landed at King Shaka Airport we were given the tragic news about Sinead’s passing,” he explained.
“This has been one long nightmare for our family. No one expects to lose their child. We are appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened to Sinead to contact me and the police. We have a picture of her going to the beach as there is CCTV footage of her from our flat in uMhlanga and we know what happened in her rescue itself, the gap remains in the moments when Sinead went into the water.”
Sinead, who was a former Crawford College La Lucia learner, had planned on finishing her post graduate degree in South Africa.
“She was here on holiday. She loved South Africa and whenever she had a break, she wanted to visit. She wanted to complete her post graduate degree in political science and go into politics. She felt she could make a difference to the country. She looked up to the late Nelson Mandela,” he said.
Moodliar also thanked the lifeguards on uMhlanga Beach, Gary Paul of Netcare 911, and Netcare Umhlanga Hospital and eThekwini Hospital for their role in Sinead’s rescue.
“Again we appeal to anyone with any information to come forward which could help the police investigation,” he said.
Moodliar urged witnesses to email: bob.moodliar@talktalk.net.
Sinead’s body has been flown back to the UK and she will be laid to rest on 1 February.
“To respect and recognise that she knew many South Africans there will also be a service on the same day at Chatsworth Hare Krishna Ashram at 1.30pm. Anyone is welcome to go,” he said.
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