Another drowning at Umgababa’s non-swimming beach
A teenager became the second drowning victim in two months in Umgababa after he rescued a friend and then struggled to reach shore himself.

UMNINI Beach in Umgababa has claimed another life after a boy drowned while rescuing a friend who was being swept away by a strong current on January 19.
Also read: Teen’s drowning sparks safety calls
The friend survived but Lethukuthula Simphiwe Gumede (14), drowned as he tried to make his way back to shore. The beach is not designated for swimming and there are no lifeguards present.
According to his grandmother Silindile Gumede, Lethukuthula left the house in the morning with his friends to go swimming.
“Our family doesn’t swim at sea and he knew he was not supposed to do that. We were told that another child got into difficulty while swimming. While other boys ran to get help, Lethokuhle jumped into the water and pulled him to shore. As the boy managed to reach the sand, strong waves pushed Lethokuhle back and he drowned,” said Gumede.
His body floated until it disappeared before the emergency services arrived. The grandmother said lifeguards as well as the police’s Search and Rescue Unit arrived at the scene but said the sea was too rough to initiate the search for the body. It was recovered two days later, badly mutilated.
In November last year, a 15-year-old boy drowned while swimming with others at the same beach. Despite an extensive search, the body was never recovered.
Also read: Near drowning at Doonside Beach in Amanzimtoti
Lifesaving South Africa’s president, Dhaya Sewduth, said the hot summer weather is causing drownings to continue.
He said communities need to heed the advisories that swimming should not be done where there are no lifeguards on duty.
“All of the advisories from Lifesaving South Africa and the municipality are for swimming only to take place where lifeguards are stationed on duty and to keep between the red and yellow bathing flags. The red and yellow bathing flags are the most obvious sign that there are lifeguards on duty,” said Sewduth.
He added that on many stretches of beaches along the coastline, hazardous rip currents occur. If no lifeguards are on duty, then one should not swim there.
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