Decoligny scholar transport tragedy: Teen boy’s mom relieved his body found
The vehicle, carrying 13 children and two adults, was found on Wednesday in the Decoligny village, Mthatha.
A school jersey is seen near the Cicira River in Decoligny, just outside Mthatha, where a 22-seater scholar transport minibus was swept off the R61, carrying 13 learners, two other passengers, and the driver. Picture: Mongezi Koko/EWN
MTHATHA - The mother of a 14-year-old boy who went missing after his scholar transport was swept away by floodwaters in the Eastern Cape said she was relieved that his body had been found.
The vehicle, carrying 13 children and two adults, was found on Wednesday in the Decoligny village, Mthatha.
ALSO READ: 3 more bodies pulled from river in Decoligny, near Mthatha
A search for four more pupils is expected to resume on Thursday morning.
At least 49 people have died in the Eastern Cape in flood-related incidents.
Overcome with grief, Nomahlubi Mkhatshani said that her only hope was to find her son’s body, knowing in her heart that he was gone.
After hours of searching, divers emerged from the water holding his body, a moment that silenced onlookers and brought her to her knees.
She asked rescue teams to turn his face toward her before confirming it was him.
"There were three kids at the hospital. I went there, but I didn’t find anyone like my son. It was so, so bad. Even the family, we feel lost. We don’t know. Kubi kakhulu, tata."
Like many in this community, Nomahlubi now begins the difficult journey of healing and rebuilding, following a tragedy that has scarred so many.