Body of missing swimmer found

The body of one of the two young cousins who were swept out to sea at the Kariega River Mouth on February 12 has been found, bringing some closure for a local family who were struck by double tragedy this week.

The body of Unathi Dyakala, 21, was found at Kasouga Beach on Saturday February 17.

Dyakala and his cousin, Mawethu Yose, 28, drowned after getting into trouble while swimming at the mouth.

Yose was recovered from the water at the time, but died despite efforts to resuscitate him.

Despite extensive search efforts, Dyakala had remained missing until his body was found on Saturday.

The Marselle families, who are related, were visiting Kenton-on-Sea on Monday February 12.

Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy confirmed that Dyakala’s body had been found at Kasouga Beach.

“He was declared dead,” McCarthy said.

On the day of the drownings, he said the Kenton-on-Sea Police Station had received a call at about 2.30pm, alerting them that two young men had been washed away at the Kariega River Mouth.

McCarthy said Yose got into difficulty while swimming in the mouth.

“Mr Unathi Dyakala went into the water to try rescue him but he also got into trouble and was swept away by the water,” McCarthy said.

NSRI spokesperson Craig

Lambinon said the Port Alfred duty crew were activated shortly before 3.30pm.

NSRI Port Alfred rescue swimmers, SAPS members, government health EMS, Hi-Tec Security Services and Gardmed ambulance services also responded and were in attendance at the scene.

The NSRI craft, Spirit of Kenton, was launched at the Kariega River slipway and began a search in the mouth.

The search had continued upriver with the incoming tide, Lambinon said.

Two NSRI rescue vehicles, NSRI crew, police and emergency services searched the shoreline of Kenton’s Middle Beach and Main Beach, as well as the Kariega River banks.

Lambinon said Yose had been found a short distance from the river mouth and was recovered from the water, unresponsive, onto the rescue craft, where resuscitation efforts were administered.

He was brought to shore and taken into the care of Gardmed paramedics.

“After paramedics exhausted CPR efforts, sadly the man was declared deceased,” Lambinon said.

An extensive shoreline and water search, by the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services unit, continued for Dyakala.

McCarthy said Dyakala’s body had been positively identified by his family.

McCarthy said earlier an inquest docket had been opened.