It is believed the two brothers, Bavikele (7) and Zakahle (9), left home at about 11am for a swim at the Mtubatuba Dam
Muzi Zincume
Drown victims Bavikele and Zakahle Mbatha
KWASOMKHELE residents are still reeling from shock after two Mbatha siblings drowned in a local dam on Saturday.
It is believed the two brothers, Bavikele (7) and Zakahle (9), left home at about 11am for a swim at the Mtubatuba Dam.
Induna Ngcebo Mkhwanazi of KwaNomathiya Reserve, said the boys left home with their six-year-old cousin, Hlelo Luthuli, but the little boy did not partake in the swimming.
The police search and rescue team retrieved the bodies of two young boys from the Mtubatuba Dam
‘The boy later realised the two had gone missing under the water. He took their clothes and went home to report the matter,’ Induna Mkhwanazi said.
Bavikele was in Grade 2 and Zakahle in Grade 3 at KwaSomkhele Primary School.
A police search and rescue team retrieved the two bodies eight hours later.
‘I have been talking to the community members about the danger of allowing their children to swim in that dam unattended,’ said Mkhwanazi.
Community members wait patiently as police divers search for the missing boys
The deceased’s uncle, Khanyisani Luthuli, said the family was not aware that the boys had gone for a swim.
‘This drowning is the first such incident at the dam, which is mostly used by people to do their washing and for livestock. We are devastated.’
Mtubatuba Mayor Velengenkosi Gumede expressed his sadness about the tragedy.
‘That dam is very useful to the community. This is the first drowning incident at that dam. We want to convey our condolences to the family and to the entire community about what transpired there,’ he said.
