A four-day search ended this afternoon when the body of a woman washed away during Saturday’s storm that struck Dundee was found.

Mayor Mcebo Mkhize who was on the ground with search parties – that included K9 units from Empangeni and other areas – made the announcement to the Courier this evening.

Witnesses said she had slipped into an open manhole in the Mzomusha area of France on Saturday evening during driving rain.

The search extended to around the banks of the Steenkoolspruit into which Dundee’s storm water flows.

Phumlani Ntombela Endumeni’s Disaster Manager whose team had worked tirelessly since Saturday evening said a cattle herder had called emergency services after stumbling across the woman’s body about seven metres from the Steenkoolspruit near the Nyanyadu road – just passed the new cemetery site.

“The family was called to identify the body. It is very tragic but at least the family has closure,” Ntombela said.

Mayor Mkhize said: “It is with deep sadness that we report that the woman was recovered but tragically did not survive. We thank our professional search teams and residents who assisted. We pass on our heartfelt condolences to the Langa family during this extremely difficult time.”

He added that ‘we should all continue supporting one another and to report any emergencies promptly to authorities.”

The Courier extends condolences to the bereaved.