TWO weeks after a Wentworth fisherman went missing at Treasure Beach, his family is still desperate for answers, claiming that no underwater search has been conducted to find his body.

Dominic Saunders (44) disappeared on October 5 after allegedly entering the water for a swim. His family claims that police divers and other emergency services have not yet conducted an underwater search.

Dominic’s sister Melanie Amanda Duval said, “His body has not been recovered and my family has not had closure,” she said.

However, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute, Craig Lambinon, said they communicate with the family to keep them updated on the search results.

Also read: Wentworth woman still missing

They said the search is currently suspended, however, it does not automatically mean that they are not looking for Dominic.

“All our hopes is that the body will wash ashore so that the family can find closure. We understand that the family is going through a difficult time, and we stand by them to provide the support they need during this period,” said Lambinon.

Dominic’s brother Clint Regan Leverton said, “The K9 Unit came to the beach. The dogs appeared to have picked up a human scent in the water, but nobody seemed willing to dive at the spot where the dogs were reacting, which is where my brother drowned,” he said.

He added, “We have been in contact with various authorities, including the police, metro police and eThekwini Municipality, requesting diving assistance, but this has yet to happen. Shoreline, aerial and drone searches have been conducted, but none has yielded results.”

Also read: Mom desperate to reunite with missing son

Duval said after 14 days of waiting, the family is exhausted and in pain because they do not know where else to turn.

“My brother has several tattoos that could help with his identification. All we want is to find his body so that we can give him a dignified burial,” she added.

Police dismiss the family’s claims

Colonel Khetha Sibiya from Wentworth police station dismissed the family’s claims about the police not searching for the body.

“Our Police Search and Rescue team has been conducting underwater searches for five consecutive days. According to their procedure, after five days if the body has not been recovered they call off the search.

“Dominic’s sister is fully aware that the police divers have been searching for five days. There is also a missing person report that was opened at the station,” said Sibiya.

The family demanded the following:

• That the search is not suspended. It must remain active until Dominic is found.
• A formal written explanation from the head of eThekwini Lifeguards as to why all active measures are being stopped only seven days in, when bodies often surface between day seven and 14.
• That you continue daily active shoreline searches, ski-boat surface patrols, and drone surveillance during low-tide windows, and liaise with National Sea Rescue Institute, Police K9 and Police Water Wing.
• Dominic’s case to be lodged as a continuous recovery operation and keep Police Search and Rescue on standby for immediate response when he washes up.

Anyone with information that can help the family can contact Melanie Amanda Duval on 081 469 6661 or Clint Leverton on 084 077 0388.

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