Margate drownings: Hero pupil still missing

KZN's education department will assist the families of Zanele Vibima and Nomvula Zondi with funeral arrangements, while the search for the body of Siyanda Buthelezi continues.

Durban - Police are still searching for the body of the 17-year-old pupil who saved his schoolmates from drowning in Margate at the weekend.

Pupil Siyanda Buthelezi is believed to have drowned at the Margate Beach on Saturday afternoon along with two other pupils who have been confirmed dead - Zanele Vibima and Nomvula Zondi.

The pupils, of KwaSwayimane’s Sibongumusa High School, had travelled to the South Coast to play netball and soccer matches. On their way back home, they stopped at the beach at about 5pm to swim.

Siyanda had not been part of the group swimming when he rushed to save a number of his fellow pupils, including Zanele’s younger cousin, Buleh and a neighbour.

Siyanda’s older sister, Dudu, said they were praying every day for Siyanda’s body to resurface. The family had been to Margate on Monday and Tuesday, with the hope they would return home with Siyanda’s body.

“There was a bad storm so they had to come back and the helicopter could not fly in those conditions,” she said.

“Our mother, in particular, is taking it very hard, but with the prayers and the support that we are receiving from people that come to visit, she is handling it better by the day. So we are praying very hard,” she said.

Tholakele Vibima, Zanele’s grandmother, said the boy was a hero and would not be missing if he had not saved other pupils’ lives.

“We are with the Buthelezi family in this very difficult time,” she said.

Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni, with officials and the school principal, visited the three families this week.

The 10 school teachers who are alleged to have been drinking alcohol when the drownings occurred have not been to see the families, but the department has said an investigation is under way to determine the circumstances that led to the drownings.

A memorial service was held for the pupils at the school on Thursday and a joint funeral for Zanele and Nomvula was expected to be held on Saturday in KwaSwayimane.

Nkonyeni’s spokesman, S’celo Khuzwayo, said the department would support the families with the funeral arrangements to ensure they were buried with dignity.

Daily News