INLSA
Two KZN wildlife rangers have disappeared while paddling in a canoe across the crocodile infested Nhlambane Lake in Zululand.
Two KZN wildlife officials have disappeared while paddling in a dugout canoe across Zululand’s crocodile and hippo-infested Nhlambane Lake.
A massive search involving the National Sea Rescue Institute, Richards Bay Minerals, the Transnet National Ports’ Authority, the South African Police Services and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has been under way all weekend. Last night the men had not been found, and hope for their survival is fading.
The men have not been named as their families have not been informed, according to Musa Mntambo, spokesman for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The pair disappeared before midday on Friday apparently when they set off on the 5km paddle across the lake in a dugout canoe which they had confiscated.
Mntambo said a group of four rangers had been on patrol when they spotted gill nets in the lake, which is situated between Richards Bay and Lake St Lucia.
“They decided to remove them and take them to where they had parked their official cars. Nearby was a large canoe that they assumed was for the individuals who had put up the gill nets.
“A decision was immediately taken to confiscate the canoe and use it to transport the gill nets to their cars.
“The remaining two rangers then set off on foot to walk around the lake with plans to meet up with their colleagues at the pump station, but on arrival at midday, no sign of the two paddlers was found.”
At 3.30pm, with no sign of the two, the two remaining wildlife officials raised the alarm. A team of KZN Wildlife rangers was dispatched to begin scouring the shoreline.
Two hours later, mindful of the failing light, the danger of lurking crocodiles, hippo and thick weed, the rangers were confirmed missing and the National Sea Rescue Richards Bay was called in to assist.
The NSRI’s Richard’s Bay station commander Dorian Robertson said they arrived in fading light with choppy water conditions and 12 to 15 knot north-westerly winds.
“It is feared that if the dugout canoe had capsized in the water, taking into account the conditions that the search parties faced, it may have been impossible to spot the upturned canoe…” he said.
Despite using searchlights in the gathering gloom the search effort was eventually called off at 10.30pm. The police search and rescue unit from Richards Bay took up the hunt again on Saturday morning.
Yesterday a policeman at the scene said the two could not swim.
“Most of the dugout canoes are designed to carry only one person. With the weight of the nets and the two men it’s possible the boat began to take on water and sink,” he said.
Mntambo confirmed the 20km long lake was “very deep.”
“We remain resolute that the two rangers are still alive and will not give up the search until contrary information emerges,” he said.
Mntambo said that a paddle, suspected to have been the one used by the two rangers, was found yesterday morning.
A sniffer dog, specialising in identifying body fluids was also brought in and had “pointed” twice at the area where the oar was found.
Divers were reluctant to go into the water because of thick weeds at the edges of the lake and at the bottom. Visibility in the lake was bad and there was the added hazard of crocodiles and hippos.
l Spear fisherman Hilton Grové, who disappeared off the St Lucia Coast last month has yet to be found. Grové, who is suspected of being attacked by sharks, was free diving in a strong current and in the presence of Zambezi sharks about one nautical mile north of the St Lucia lighthouse and about one nautical mile off shore when he disappeared.
Koos Jordaan, skipper of the boat, Tjienkie 1, the boat from which Grovè was diving, confirmed yesterday he was still missing.
