Screams for help were heard, but no one could come to the rescue of an uncle and nephew when their van was swept away by the flooding Sandfields River in Tongaat last Monday night.

The bodies of Biggie (Kevin Moonsamy) and Julian (Shogan Ponen) could only be recovered hours later, after water levels subsided and they could eventually reach the police.

“They had made it through flooded roads but got stuck in a flooded area only two doors away from their home,” says Ponen’s traumatised brother, Preshan.

“The neighbours heard screams for help but nobody could help. The water had covered the van in seconds and pushed it along the road into a tree. The van was totally submerged, and a local tow truck had to wait for the water to subside.

“At around 02:00 the roof of the van became visible and it could be pulled out.

He says the family had to suffer through the ordeal for almost four hours.

“I had tried calling the police, but the lines were down. We could not get through to anyone. We eventually reached the police, but they only come through at around 10:00 on Tuesday morning. I had to cover the vehicle during that time as many curious neighbours surrounded it.”

Moonsamy (42) worked as a supervisor at Lindahisa Security in Shakaskraal. He left behind one child, Makayla.

“He was always with my brother, they were inseparable. My uncle Biggie was always jovial and always put a smile on the faces of people he met,” says Preshan.

Ponen (34) worked at a stainless steel fabrication company Med-A-Lite in Noodsberg.

“He had a kind heart and never refused to help. He leaves behind my mom Nancy, little brother Shaylin, myself and girlfriend Nikita.”

Their funeral was held on Saturday at the Christian Revival Centre Church in Tongaat.