MAN THROWS HIMSELF INTO RIVER, BODY NOT FOUND

MKHONDVO – A suspect who was being taken to the police station threw himself into the raging Mkhondvo River on Tuesday.

The man had been held for alleged attempted rape.

The incident happened on Tuesday around 5pm at Mkhondvo just before Buseleni next to Tebetebe. 

 The deceased, Philani ‘Dambayi’ Dlamini, did this in the presence of his father, two uncles and a community police member, while they were on their way to the police station. 

Philani had been handcuffed when he plunged into the river.

According to a narration from the community police Sipho Manana, the deceased, on Monday, went to his cousin’s home where he found his cousin’s wife and requested to be let inside the house. 

Utterances 

It is alleged that Philani made utterances that suggested that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with his cousin’s wife to which she screamed for help. 

It was stated that Philani then grabbed a pair of shoes that belonged to the wife and further stole a chicken before fleeing. 

The following morning, the wife is said to have reported the matter to the family elders and to community police members. Philani was reportedly searched for by police around the area. 

It was stated that the community police members finally found him in one homestead and took him to his home. 

Upon arrival, it is said that the community police informed his father about the incident. Philani was reportedly wearing the same shoes he allegedly took at his cousin’s doorstep. 

“His father spoke to him and allowed that he be taken to the police,” narrated Manana. 

He stated that the man was then handcuffed with intentions of taking him to the police station. 

The deceased’s father and two uncles came along with the community police as he was taken to cop shop. 

They all used a path which is next to the river as they made their way to cross Mkhondvo River. 

It was gathered that on their way, Philani took a few steps towards the water and threw himself into the river while handcuffed. 

It is said that they all tried to call him in an attempt to stop him, but he proceeded and was swallowed by the overflowing river. 

The trio was left shocked by this incident and is said to have followed the river as they could see him resurface and disappear into the water but ended up losing sight of him for good. 

It is said that they then proceeded to report the matter to the police while his father went to inform other family members about the incident.

Police are said to have made their way to the river to search for him but could not find him. 

Yesterday, a search party, which included scuba divers, arrived at the river at 5am and began the search.

They searched for a distance of about 6km from where he had drowned, but came empty-handed. 

The search, which was abandoned at noon yielded no positive results as the body was not found. 

It will continue again today.

It was established that though the body may have floated downstream, it might have also been hooked on trees inside the river or held between rocks. 

Meanwhile, in an interview with the deceased’s mother, Mazoco Dlamini, she stated that they were still reeling in shock from the incident. She confirmed the story of his deceased son going to the cousin’s home. She stated that initially, her son was told he was going to be whipped and released, but did not know how he established that he was being taken to the police station. 

The shocked mother stated that her husband, the deceased’s father, was emotionally not well as he repeatedly told her the picture of his son in the water came playing itself out in his head.

“I am still shocked why he chose to take his life like that,” said the mother. 

She stated that they were praying that they would find his body so that he could get a decent funeral.  

When sought for comment, Police Deputy Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the drowning. She said their team of scuba divers went to search for him and would continue tomorrow.

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