CONVINCE Mathebula (22) shockingly disappeared after being swept away by the raging water in the deadly Nwandlamharhi River outside Mpumalanga on Wednesday, 3 January at about 3pm.
The river cuts through Dumphries 'C' and Dumphries 'A' and 'B' sections near Bushbuckridge.
His frightened cousin Latricia Gazide said Convince was walking down the street.
She said the deceased happily invited her and her other five siblings to come with him down the river and to see its beauty as the water ran away.
"Upon arrival on the riverbank, we sat on the large rock. So fast Convince quickly stripped off his shirt and thongs and dived in. Suddenly he couldn't swim anymore. He lost balance and screamed for help."
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"We jumped in at least to save his life. But the water swept him away. We saw him raising his hands above the water and disappearing into the water," she said.
His aunt, Elizabeth Khoza (52), said they couldn't believe their ears when they received a call from panicked siblings saying Convince had vanished in the water.
"We quickly rushed to find out. Residents spread out and dived into the water searching for him, but they were unsuccessful. Convince was a brilliant pupil in commercial subjects and waiting for his matric results. We are praying to God to help us find him," she said.
Dumphries 'C' Community Policing Forum Chairman Guga Sihlangu said the Fire and Rescue Team from Bushbuckridge Municipality is searching as police divers are coming all from Nelspruit.
