Family appeals for help as man swept away in Amanzimtoti floods remains missing
Siyabonga Patrick Mzulwini was swept away in floodwaters in Amanzimtoti and is still missing.
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The family of Siyabonga Patrick Mzulwini is appealing to the public for assistance after he was swept away by floodwaters in Amanzimtoti during severe storms on December 21 and remains missing.
His eldest daughter, Luyanda Dube, said the incident has left the family devastated and the Christmas period had been very difficult.
“Our family and neighbours did not get to celebrate Christmas. We are deeply hurt and we’re hoping that he may be found,” she said.
Mzulwini was among five people travelling back home from a braai, when their vehicle broke down on a low-lying bridge amid heavy flooding in Amanzimtoti. Two people survived the incident, while police search and rescue and other emergency services recovered two bodies.
According to the two survivors who later spoke to the family, Mzulwini got out of the vehicle in an attempt to assist when the vehicle got stuck.
“My dad got out and tried to push the car, but unfortunately the water was too strong and he was swept away,” Dube said.
However, Mzulwini remains missing, despite search efforts that have been ongoing since Sunday. “We have searched, but nothing has been found so far,” Dube said.
The family has now issued a public missing-person appeal, urging anyone with information to come forward. Mzulwini is described as being of medium height and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt.
“If you have any information or saw him, please contact us immediately,” the family said.
“We’re asking his people to help us find him,” Dube said, adding that the family hopes to find him and bury him with dignity.
The incident occurred amid widespread flooding across parts of KwaZulu-Natal following severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, the storms caused significant damage in the Ugu District and parts of eThekwini, with multiple fatalities confirmed.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Mzulwini’s daughter on 062 895 8261or his wife on 078 451 3733.