Cape Town – The body of a 22-year-old man who went missing in the surf at Southbroom last Thursday has been recovered, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed on Monday.
According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, the man’s body, believed to be that of the missing Durban resident, was located and recovered on Monday afternoon by police divers, with the assistance of NSRI Shelly Beach.
The recovery operation was initiated at 13h32 after eyewitnesses reported seeing a body floating in the surf zone offshore of Southbroom Main Beach.
An extensive search effort had been underway since Thursday, involving Police Search and Rescue teams, Police K9 units, NSRI Shelly Beach, and NSRI Port Edward.
SOUTHBROOM, KZN SOUTH COAST: Police divers (WPDS) and Police K9 Search and Rescue are continuing in ongoing search efforts for a man who went missing in the surf on Thursday.https://t.co/O16BFQXmoc
— National Sea Rescue Institute (@NSRI) May 16, 2025
On Monday, the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Dawn was launched from Shelly Beach with police divers onboard, while NSRI Port Edward provided on-scene support from the shore.
The body was located in the surf zone and recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft before being transported to the NSRI Station 20 base in Shelly Beach. Med-Evac ambulance services and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services were also activated.
The deceased has been handed over to the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. While formal identification is still pending, family members of the missing man were present at the NSRI base and are being supported by police and forensic authorities.
An inquest docket has been opened, and investigations are continuing.
The NSRI extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
