Death of only child devastates father
Samu Saukuru is devastated that he has lost his only child, 22-year-old Maciu Saukuru.
It is believed that Maciu died from drowning on Monday afternoon in the Naviyago waters while swimming with a group of friends. “Maciu was born with epilepsy and I have asked him always to not go swimming, but he was grown up and always did what he wanted and would often say his goodbyes as he knew that his illness would take his life,” he said.
“He would send his regards to everyone especially pastors and say that he was going for good.” Mr Saukuru said he had arrived from work on Tuesday at 5pm and was sitting outside his home when the Police visited his home with his son’s body. He said this was a double tragedy for him because his wife died last year in September from the same illness.
“He always had these epileptic episodes so it may have happened to him yesterday when he was swimming,” he said.
An emotional stepmother, Mere Barbra, said she had no clue that her step-son’s goodbyes on Tuesday would be his last.
“All he told me was mum, Im going with my friends and I will be back later, even though we called him to not go, he just said goodbye and left,” she said.
The funeral is set for Saturday. In a statement, the Police said: “The man was swimming with some of his friends in the Naviago waters in Lautoka on Monday morning. His body was later found in the afternoon.”
The current drowning death toll stands at 35 compared to 41 for the same period last year.