Search continues for Sodwana drown victims

PEOPLE wishing to perform rituals on beaches should gain permission from authorities first so that lifesavers could be arranged to be present.

This is the opinion of uMhlabuyalingana Mayor, Nkululeko Mthethwa, following the drowning of Prophet Thobani Zwane of Mnqobokazi Reserve in Hluhluwe, and a congregant, Fezile Ndlovu (20), who disappeared beneath the waves at Sodwana Bay during a recent cleansing ritual.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Boat comes adrift on the N2

‘We respect that everybody has a right to practise his or her religion, but request religious leaders to follow the correct channels if they need to use our beaches for their prayers or rituals.

‘This will enable authorities to dispatch lifesavers to be with them and save lives should something go wrong,’ said Mthethwa.

‘We are still shocked about the drowning of Prophet Zwane and church member Ndlovu. We want to convey our condolences to their families.

Survivor Sandile Ndlovu said Prophet Zwane had a revelation that he needed to cleanse an elder sister in the church.

‘When we arrived at Sodwana beach, security guards refused to allow us in and the group then used a concealed footpath to get to the sea for the ritual.

‘After cleansing the women in the group, Zwane called in the men, telling them to join hands to form a chain so we could go deeper into the sea,’ Ndlovu said.

‘While we were praying, one of the men broke the chain and swam back to the beach. When my feet no longer touched the sand and I started floating,

I did the same, followed by another man.’

He said Zwane and Fezile then disappeared beneath the waves.

The bodies of the two victims have still not been found.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer