Vaal teen's drowning mystery

TRAGEDY: BODY OF YOUNGSTER, 17, MISSING FROM BOAT FLOATS DOWNSTREAM TO FAMILY >>> Loved ones seek answers to death during leisure outing on the river.

- Ettienne van Rensburg & Sifiso Jimta

LOSS. Thomas Sithole.

he body of a teen who mysteriously went missing while on a leisure boating cruise on the Vaal River on Friday was recovered yesterday.

According to family of the missing 17-year-old Thomas Sithole, his body floated downstream to where they had been camping for two days while police divers were searching the river.

During the search, dozens of relatives and friends gathered at the riverbank as police units combed the area.

His grieving family said they were only informed of his disappearance the day after Sithole went missing, when a friend of his older sister made contact.

The Sedibeng Star reports a hysterical cry filled the air as Sithole’s body was placed into a pathology van after it was recovered.

The distraught family were allowed to view the body and, according to Sithole’s cousin, Katleho Motseki, there appeared to be a wound on the back of his head.

Speaking to the media, Motseki said that the family is battling to come to terms with the youngster’s tragic death.

“The family is more than devastated. While we gathered on the riverbank, we saw his body floating downstream while divers were busy searching for him.

“It was as if he waited for his family to fetch him,” Motseki said.

“We can't believe he is gone.”

The Sithole family said that they were seeking justice and answers to the mysterious circumstances surrounding death.