Teen missing after Camps Bay swim

It is suspected that Ngela had been caught in a strong current

A VISIT to Camps Bay beach ended in tragedy for a group of Manenberg youths at the weekend after a teenager went missing after going for a swim.

Police and NSRI divers were unable to locate Khanyisa Ngela’s body yesterday and called off their search just after midday, presuming he had drowned.

Ngela, 17, from Thambo Village, had joined 22 other youths from Manenberg and surrounding areas for a visit to Camps Bay beach on Saturday.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the NSRI Bakoven duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority at 10.45am on Saturday.

NSRI Bakoven station commander Bruce Davidson said beachgoers had witnessed Ngela go missing after he had gone for a swim.

“NSRI Bakoven launched the sea rescue craft and rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.”

He said NSRI Table Bay dispatched their sea rescue craft and their sea rescue vehicle. A rescue helicopter, ambulance services, community medics, paramedics, emergency medical services, police, fire and rescue services, rescue divers and a police marine officer with a rescue jet-ski had also responded.

Davidson suspected that Ngela had been caught in a strong current, began struggling, then disappeared beneath the surf.

“Despite an extensive air, sea and shore search, there has been no sign of the missing teenager and he is presumed to have drowned.”

He said police had opened an investigation.

“Trauma counsellors have attended to witnesses and relatives,” added Davidson.

Lambinon said the search had continued yesterday despite poor visibility and strong currents.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said Ngela’s relatives were on the beach when he went missing.. carlo.petersen@inl.co.za

@carlo_petersen