1 Body Found as Search Continues for South Africans in Mozambique

The body of one of the four missing South Africans in Mozambique has been found, according to the Middelburg Observer.

The body is that of a young man, and was found close to where the group of South African citizens were last seen on Monday. It has been taken to the morgue in Maputo, says the paper.

International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the four – apparently two females and two males – had gone on holiday (with a group of friends from Groblersdal) to Mozambique on 12 January. They went missing on Monday afternoon 14 Jan.

According to local reports, the whole group of eight had taken a boat cruise to either Portuguese Island or Inhaca Island. Along with one other person, the missing four then went swimming… but were swept away by strong sea currents. The other person reportedly managed to make it back to shore. According to a whatsapp from one of the party, the boat they were on searched for hours but could not find the swimmers before nightfall.

The South African government said today that search and rescue missions continue in Mozambique for the missing South Africans, who are all sadly presumed to have drowned.

On Thursday, Minister Sisulu was briefed on the rescue and consular services efforts. Apparently locals and South African expats living in the area have all joined Mozambique authorities to help find the missing South Africans.

According to DIRCO, family members have arrived in Mozambique to work alongside the South African High Commission in Maputo and local authorities in search of their loved ones.

The father of 19-year-old Lesego Motsepe, who is missing, told News24 that search and rescue attempts had to be halted on Thursday because of the weather. He said: “It is very stressful, as you can imagine.”

One Gauteng resident said: “I work with a father to one of the missing 4. He is devastated.”

DIRCO said: “DIRCO is in constant communication with the High Commissioner as the search and rescue continues, and we hope that they can still be found alive.”

The department is also in contact with the Premier’s office in Limpopo, the families and all other stakeholders.

Sources include SAnews.gov.za, DriveMoz FB page and Middelburg Observer