Teen boy drowns in Jozini
The victim and his three friends had gone to the river to fish
JOZINI SAPS have registered an inquest docket following the death of a 17-year-old boy who drowned in a river near Jozini dam on Monday morning.
It is reported that the deceased, Njabulo Mhlanga and his three friends went to the river to fish.
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A family member, Nombuso Mhlanga, said that after fishing the deceased had told the other boys he wanted to swim as the weather was too hot.
‘The boys told us that Njabulo took off his clothes and jumped into the river.
‘They said they saw him struggling to swim and they rushed to report the matter to the elders.
‘The police were immediately informed about the drowning,’ she said.
Mhlanga said the police Search and Rescue unit was called to retrieve the body from the river.
‘It did not take them too long to retrieve his body. We have not seen his body as he was taken to the state mortuary.
‘As a family we have interacted with our local ward councillor, to see how the municipality could help us bury his remains, as we are struggling financially.
‘None of us at home is employed. Njabulo lost his mother years ago and his father is unemployed,’ she said.
Ward 17 councillor under Jozini Local Municipality, Nhlanhla Gumbi, said he has met with the family to make funeral arrangements.
‘Once we get his death certificate we will approach the municipality to see how we can assist this family,’ Gumbi said.
Gumbi urged community members to ensure children do not go to the river unattended, to prevent such tragedies.
Police spokesperson, Captain Senzo Gumede, confirmed they have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
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