…but search continues for other missing girl
Limpho Sello
THE body of 16-year-old Senate Lesaoana who drowned while swimming in the Senqu River last Sunday was recovered on Wednesday, while the search continues for another girl who is believed to have drowned with her.
Lesaoana was a Form C student at ‘Maseribane High School. The two were part of a group of 17 female students who sneaked out of the school premises to swim in the flooded river.
Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe yesterday confirmed the recovery of Senate’s body, which he said would go for an autopsy.
Superintendent Molefe said the police were still searching for the other student, also a Form C student at the school.
‘Maseribane Deputy Principal Lehlohonolo Lehula on Friday told the Sunday Express Senate’s body was discovered by a local resident who was collecting firewood along the river. The body, he added, was much further from Mount Moorosi Bridge where the girls were swimming when they went missing.
“On Tuesday, there was heavy rainfall in this area and the level of water in the river was high. We believe this pushed the body to the place where it was found by one of the villagers, who raised alarm. The corpse was then taken to Quthing Hospital mortuary by the police for a postmortem,” Mr Lehula said.
The girl’s father, Mr Khethang Lesaoana said the family was still in a state of shock, but relieved their daughter’s body had finally been found.
“There isn’t much I can say except that we met as a family and accepted what happened. We are relieved that the body was found,” Mr Lesaoana said.
Mr Lehula also said the community was now praying for the swift recovery of the other body so they could all be at peace and move on with their lives.
“We will always be looking back at that river with heavy hearts,” Mr Lehula said.
“On Thursday the community started a search party for the remaining body beginning from Mount Moorosi Bridge to a place called Ha-Robi. The group divided itself into two with one searching on the left side of the river and the other on the right.”