Watch: Heartbroken mother of Ladysmith flooding victim speaks out

The heartbroken mother of a Ladysmith teenager who is believed to have drowned during recent flooding is desperately hoping authorities can retrieve her son’s remains.

SIHLE DISAPPEARED WHILE SWIMMING WITH FRIENDS

An emotional Thulile Ziqubu told the media during an interview with Newzroom Africa that she believes her 14-year-old son, Sihle Ziqubu, drowned while swimming with friends last Friday.

“I went to take my youngest son for a doctor’s appointment in hospital and when I arrived home around 12:30 on 14 January, around 20 minutes later, a few kids came and told me to come to the river because my son had drowned,” she said.

CHILDREN TOLD THE MOTHER HER SON HAD DROWNED

Ziqubu said she rushed off to the river in disbelief.

“I was not sure what happened. When I got to the river, there were so many people standing there looking at the water, and my son’s body was nowhere to be found.”

Ziqubu furthermore said her prayers were that Sihle’s body would surface somewhere soon.

SHE IS HOPING THAT HER SON’S BODY WOULD BE RECOVERED

She said Sihle was a respectful, intelligent, and even-tempered young man.

Watch the heartbreaking interview here:

The weather conditions in and around Ladysmith have left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. More than 100 people have been evacuated, 25 people have lost their lives, and two people are still missing.

According to reports, the river levels have dramatically decreased and floodwaters receded.

COMMUNITIES WARNED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka warned communities along the banks of rivers to exercise extreme caution.

“Currently, the bridge linking Kranskop and Nkandla is submerged in water, we appeal to the community in this area to not go near the bridge and for parents to guard their children,” said Hlomuka.

In the Mandeni Local Municipality, 20 families had to be evacuated from their homes on Monday in Shekembuya.

In the Msinga Local Municipality, 15 people were evacuated on Monday and moved to uMkhuphulangwenya (the Sampofu area in Ward 4) to the municipal hall for safety.

ALSO READ: Shocking! 82 people killed by drowning and lightning in recent floods