A young man sacrificed his life to save the life of a 10-year-old boy at the Mzinti River in Tonga on February 27.
Another victim drowned while fishing in the Nkomazi River in Block B.

The provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said Mpumi Ntiwane (22), who will be hailed a hero by locals, was fishing with his friends in the Mzinti River when a 10-year-old boy decided to swim from their original fishing spot to the other side of the river.

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“Little did they know that the boy would have difficulties in swimming. The boy’s struggle prompted Ntiwane to offer his assistance to save the boy from drowning. The boy was successfully rescued, but Ntiwane lost the battle afterwards and perished.

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“Police were summoned to the scene and with the assistance of the police divers, his body was retrieved on March 1.”

Innocent Makhanya (28) left home on Monday morning February 27 at about 06:00, heading to the Nkomazi River.

“Makhanya did not return home. It was confirmed by local farmers that they saw him fishing in the area at about 12:00.

“His family members reported him missing to the police and search-and-rescue team was dispatched to the scene. Their search was fruitful and his body was retrieved on March 1,” said Mohlala.

He requested community members to refrain from fishing in the nearby rivers as the recent floods left them swollen and dangerous.