Strand police have opened an inquest docket after two teenage boys presumably drowned in Strand at the weekend.
Emergency services were activated following reports of a suspected drowning at Strand Beach on Saturday evening (5 November). The lifeless body of one of the teenagers was found in the surf while an extensive search for the other missing boy was initiated following the incident and unsuccessfully resumed on Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as 17-year-old Siqhamosethu Mndayi from Delft, who apparently went swimming with his missing friend on the fateful day.
At the time of going to print, 15-year-old Limnandi Ngqoboka, also from Delft, was still not found.
According to Alan Meiklejohn, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gordon’s Bay station commander, duty crew were activated at 19:06 following reports received by GB Med Rescue personnel and via the City Of Cape Town’s emergency call centre of two swimmers experiencing difficulties in the water near Strand Surf Lifesaving Club.
“The City’s Water Rescue Network was activated to the drowning in progress and the sea rescue craft, Rescue 9 Bravo, was launched from the NSRI rescue station at Gordon’s Bay Harbour,” said Meikeljohn.
Apart from NSRI rescue swimmers, local police, the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement marine officers and Strand Neighbourhood Watch members also responded and aided rescue efforts.
Fire and Rescue Services confirmed the drowning incident brings the tally to 13 they have responded to in the Helderberg since the start of the year.
“On arrival, a sea and shoreline search commenced for the two male teenagers who reportedly went missing in the waters,” Meiklejohn said. “NSRI rescue swimmers initiated sweeping line free dive search efforts while the NSRI rescue craft searched through the wave lines. This while emergency services on the shoreline conducted shoreline search efforts.
“Members of the public, 300 m down the beachfront, came across one of the missing teenagers in shallow surf. NSRI rescue swimmers and GB Med Rescue paramedics assisted in bringing the recovered body onto the beach, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts commenced. Following unsuccessful efforts, the teen was declared deceased.”
Meiklejohn added that despite an extensive search, the other teenage boy was still missing.
He said it is believed the friends were swimming together when they were caught in the rip current.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased teenager.”
Ngqoboka’s father, Sizwe described life for himself, Limnandi’s mom (45) and his two sisters, 28 and 19, as indescribably difficult without him. “Limnandi is a good boy with a great mind,” he said. “We pray that he is found, alive or otherwise.”
The 49-year-old parent further claimed to be unaware of the beach outing the friends had initiated and urged others to always accompany their children to the beach and prioritise their supervision.
The Police Dive Unit and Western Cape Control Unit had been activated to find the missing teenager.
Furthermore, Strand Surf Lifesaving Club’s lifeguards indicated they would keep an eye out during their on-duty hours at Strand Beach.
The public have been urged to swim only where there are lifeguards on duty and between the red- and yellow-flagged safe demarcated areas.
