Trip ends in death for worshipping friends

TRADEGY struck Raymond Ngobeni at Burlington Lake Dam outside Cottondale near Acornhoek, Mpumalanga on Monday, 1 April.

This after the 47-year-old man and his worship friend, Vutomi Thusi (26) from Zola extension went out fishing in the lake, but their trip ended in tears.

Raymond's body was retrieved by police divers from the lake on Tuesday, 2 April. His fishnet got trapped and he tried to retrieve it from the water. Vutomi apparently saw him struggle but couldn't save him as he can't swim.

Vutomi said: "We took some time standing on the bank before getting into the dark waters. My heart was throbbing fast and filled with fear when looking at the dark water for the first time.

"But Raymond insisted we must jump in and cast the fishnet. He claimed that he's a good swimmer. But while in the middle of the lake, I saw him struggle and he couldn't swim anymore. I recall his last words as he shouted: 'In the name of Jesus save us God' before disappearing into the water."

Realising that the lake was deep, and he might also drown, Vutomi quickly grabbed onto the nearby grass and swum out.

"I ran half naked and bumped into a fisherman about a few meters away and asked him for help. We both ran back to the lake bank where our clothes and phones were.

"I took his phone as mine didn't have airtime and called his family members and the police, who quickly arrived at the scene. We tried to search for him in the water, but with no luck. I wouldn't have gone there if I had known death waited ahead. I can't find any sleep now. I'm haunted by his death," he said.

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Vutomi said Raymond had not been okay from earlier in the day, adding that he had an argument with their pastor that morning for failing to resolve his marital problems.

"He accused the pastor of being responsible of his marriage breaking down and also employing his wife, the mother of his kids, as his domestic worker. We then prayed together before going out fishing," he said.

Raymond's son Vutlhari (20) confirmed that his parents had separated. "My parents separated. I have even moved to live with my grandmother," he said.

Raymond's brother-in-law, Israel Mzimba (67), said: "It hurts and disturbing to lose this young man so early in life."

Daily Sun tried to get hold of the pastor but couldn't reach him.

Ward Councillor Welcome Hlatshwayo said:" We have lost three people so far from drownings. We understand that they were trying to catch fish."

Mpumalanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said: "According to what has been gathered in terms of the investigation, two men went fishing at the dam and it's said the fishnet somehow got trapped in the water and the victim tried to retrieve it. Unfortunately, he was unable to get out. He was declared dead by medical personnel and an inquest docket has been opened."