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INYANGA HELPS FAMILY FIND DROWNED SWAZI IN SA DAM

27/11/2014 02:38:00 BY SABELO MAZIBUKO

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MBABANE – A Swazi family had to consult a traditional healer to find one of their own who had drowned in a dam in South Africa.

Bonginkosi Mngometulu (29), from Ncandweni, drowned in a dam in Johannesburg near Soweto last Monday at around 5am while fishing. Mngometulu was with his brother, Jabula, when he drowned.

A relative, Maphilane Shongwe, confirmed the incident, saying they received the news of Bonginkosi’s death last Wednesday. He had drowned on the Monday but his body was only discovered floating in the dam on Sunday.

After days of trying to find Bonginkosi’s body without success, the family consulted a traditional healer.
In less than a day after they had consulted the traditional healer and performed rituals (kuphahla) as per the advice of the healer, Bonginkosi’s body was discovered floating in the dam the following day.

However, the family could not elaborate further on the matter but did express happiness that the body had been found.
Shongwe said he hoped Bonginkosi would be laid to rest this week.
His body is stuck in South Africa while his family sorts out the documents to enable it to be brought back home.

“The body is still in neighbouring South Africa as we are still trying to sort out the paperwork so he can be brought back to the country.
“We have reported the matter to our royal kraal and asked for a stamped letter authorising that his corpse be allowed to cross the border. The letter will also clarify that he is a known resident of Ncandweni. We hope the body will be brought back home tomorrow,” Shongwe said.

Bonginkosi’s family said he was working with his brother in South Africa as a fisherman and was in the company of other Swazis when he left the country last year. His family said the only information they received was that Bonginkosi was standing near the banks of the dam when he slipped and fell into the dam.

“We were told that he slipped and fell into the dam and drowned while trying to get into a canoe. His brother said he saw him slipping adjacent to the canoe and that there was little he could do as his body was already submerged. The matter was reported to the South African Police, who searched for his body but in vain,” Shongwe said.

On Tuesday, another 42-year-old fisherman drowned in South Africa while another went missing near St Helena Bay in the Western Cape. The National Sea Rescue Institution was notified after a boat capsized south of Lantjies Klip.
Initially, there were three men in the boat but one of them managed to swim to the shore and raised an alarm. Police went to the scene to search for the two missing fishermen.

It is said that all three men were wearing life jackets. During the search, one body, believed to be that of one of the fishermen, was found washed up on the beach.

This incident was reported in a South African newspaper, The Star.
“The family is going through trying times because we don’t have money to conduct the funeral and this might stall the preparations. We are appealing to members of the public to help us with a coffin, financially or otherwise. Anyone who is willing to help can contact us on 76801539,” said Shongwe.