KHAYELIHLE Ndebele went to work as usual on Saturday, 11 February.
And everything was normal until he came face to face with death.
The 34-year-old man from Emaswazini Village in Mtubatuba, northern KZN, now believes his ancestors spared his life.
He said he was on duty when heavy rain started pouring, and he decided to go home.
While on his way, he saw a young woman walking and gave her a lift as she was walking in the same direction.
And at the river, the water was above the bridge but he thought his bakkie would be able to cross.
“My calculations let me down. While driving in the middle of the river, the engine went off and the car stopped,” he said.
“I started panicking and the water started getting inside the car,” said Khayelihle.
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“I told the woman that we needed to break the windows and get out because the car was about to be swept away,” he said.
Khayelihle said that was the last time he saw the passenger.
“The last thing I remember was me trying to break the window. Then the next thing, I was holding on to a big rod and floating.
“I don’t know how I got out, hence I believe my ancestors saved me.”
He said that the passenger was inside the car when it got washed away and he went to look for help.
“There was a house not far from the river and I explained everything.
“We went back and called the cops, but it was already late.”
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Khayelihle said the search for the body resumed on Sunday, but with no luck.
However, the body was recovered the following day.
And although he could identify her, he did not know where the woman lived.
Cops were still trying to locate her family.
KZN police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said KwaMsane cops have opened an inquest docket after a 24-year-old woman reportedly drowned in the Nkatha River on Saturday, 11 February.
