A day of relaxation turned into a devastating tragedy for a group of friends from Johannesburg, as one of their own lost his life in the Gonubie River in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to eyewitnesses, 32-year-old John had ventured into the water with his friends, despite warnings of strong currents.
The group had gathered at the popular river spot for a picnic and some fun, but the festive mood quickly turned somber.
“It happened so fast,” said an eyewitness. “One minute he was swimming, the next he was gone. We tried to find him, but the water was too rough.
“Lifeguards and emergency services were quickly alerted, and a search operation was launched. John’s body was recovered hours later, downstream.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with friends and family struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“John was a loving father, son and friend,” said a family spokesperson. “We are still trying to process what happened.”
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has issued a warning about the dangers of swimming in rivers, particularly during periods of high water flow.
Sub-Editor : Sekgala Mokgadi
