Body of missing Umdloti swimmer recovered after three-day search

The body of 22-year-old Bandile Ntaka, from Mhlasini near Verulam, was recovered just north of the Umdloti tidal pool on Thursday evening, bringing a heartbreaking end to a three-day search operation.

Ntaka drowned while swimming in the tidal pool on Monday afternoon, setting in motion an extensive multi-agency search involving emergency services, police, lifeguards and volunteers.

Marshall Security spokesperson Andreas Mathios said a shore angler spotted the body shortly after 7pm and alerted the company’s control room.

“A Marshall Security reaction officer responded and recovered the body from the water,” said Mathios.

Members of eThekwini Search and Rescue and Durban North Saps arrived shortly afterwards and took over the scene.

The recovery brings closure to Ntaka’s family and friends, many of whom have spent the past three days at the tidal pool awaiting news. Relatives maintained a constant vigil at the site as search teams combed the shoreline and surrounding waters.

Speaking to the Courier earlier on Thursday, a family member described the emotional toll the tragedy had taken on the family.

“His mother has been unwell since his death and fainted from trauma on Tuesday,” she said. “The mood at home is bad.”

Search efforts had continued daily since Monday. At the family’s request, the RUSA Robinson R44 helicopter was deployed on three consecutive days in an effort to locate and recover Ntaka’s body.

The Umdloti tidal pool has been the scene of numerous drowning incidents over the years, with strong rip currents and changing sea conditions often creating dangerous swimming conditions. Search teams suspended operations at sunset on Monday before resuming at first light each day as hopes of finding Ntaka’s body persisted.