The body of 23 year old Thembinkosi Sihle who drowned while herding cows during flash flooding in June 2023 was recovered partially buried in Ottawa – KZN a short while ago (Tuesday).
A scrap collector operating along the river discovered an arm and part of a body protruding from the sand. The man fled onto Pinewood Road in Ottawa – KZN and informed a member of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) who was on patrol in the area.
The information was circulated to other Reaction Officers. RUSA Members proceeded to the location at approximately 11:09 and walked several meters through overgrown vegetation to reach the riverbank where the partially buried body was located.
Two silver rings on the deceased’s hand and a red jacket led Officers to believe that the body was that of Sihle who drowned while attempting to traverse a river during a heavy storm on the afternoon of Tuesday (27/06/2023). Attempts to recover his body since were unsuccessful.
His family are currently on scene and has positively identified the body.