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FILE| NSRI search and rescue boat
A 40-year-old man who went missing at Thompsons beach in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday has not yet been found.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says this is despite its extensive search and rescue operation.
The man was from Carolina in Mpumalanga. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says it appears that the man and his 13-year-old nephew were swimming earlier in the morning when they were caught in rip currents.
“An unidentified good Samaritan had rescued the teenager from the water who was not injured but the uncle had gone missing. NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene and the NSRI Ballito rescue craft JetRIB was launched at Salmon Bay and joined IPSS Search and Rescue in extensive search efforts for the missing man,” adds Lambinon.
National Sea Rescue Institute says there’s still no sign of the man who went missing while swimming at Thompsons Beach at Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal. That’s despite an extensive search and rescue operation involving a helicopter#MorningLive #SABCNews
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) January 3, 2026
Meanwhile in Mpumalanga, police have advised residents to remain vigilant in flooded areas.
This follows three separate drowning incidents on Friday. The first incident involved a 19-year-old man in Louisville who drowned in a local river after visiting a tavern.
The second incident involved a woman whose vehicle was washed away after attempting to cross a submerged bridge on the Lilly Mine Road after heavy rains. In the third incident a teenage girl drowned in Middelburg.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane says a 27-year-old man is currently missing.
He was swept away while trying to cross a submerged bridge from Nhlaba to the Manaar area in Ekulindeni. This followed heavy rains in the area.
Similarly, a 23-year-old man who went missing at Blue Water Bay in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape has not yet been found.
The NSRI says it responded to the emergency alongside police as well as government and private ambulance services on Friday.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon says, “It appears that the man was swimming with his 19-year-old sister when they were caught in rip currents. A local fisherman managed to grab a hold of the female and pull her to safety. The teenager was not injured. Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing man. Police Search and Rescue are tasked to continue in ongoing search efforts, assisted by Blue Water Bay lifeguards.”
