NMU Student Found Dead In Gqeberha Lake As Family Faces Financial Strain

An 18-year-old student from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has been found dead in a lake in Gqeberha, days after he was reported missing by his family.

The body of Lathitha Mhlathi, a first-year economics student, was recovered from North End Lake in Sydenham, Gqeberha on Tuesday.

Police Confirm Drowning After Body Retrieved from Lake

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said officers were alerted to a body floating in the water at about 11:45am.

“Police received information about a human body floating in the lake at Milner Avenue at approximately 11.45am,” she said.

“Upon arrival, members spoke to a witness, who indicated that he had been fishing when he noticed the body floating in the water.

“The SAPS Divers Unit assisted and successfully retrieved the body from the lake.”

She said the cause of death was determined to be drowning. An inquest docket has been opened.

Student Reported Missing After Failing to Answer Calls

The student’s mother, Portia Mhlathi, from Mthatha, said she became concerned on Saturday when her son did not answer his phone.

“I kept calling him but he did not pick up,” she said.

“We called each other almost every day and whenever I phoned he always picked up.”

She said attempts to locate him included contacting his roommate, who confirmed he was not at the university residence.

“I even called his roommate at the residence, and he said ‘no, mama, he is not here’.

“I was worried… I wanted to know here where he was.”

The family later shared a missing person post on social media in an effort to trace him.

Family Seeks Assistance to Transport Body Home

Mhlathi travelled to Gqeberha after being informed that a body matching her son’s description had been found.

“They said he was wearing a red shirt and had dreadlocks.

“I knew it was my son, but I wanted to go to [Gqeberha] to see for myself. I knew I had to be there.”

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The body was identified by a family member. “It was my sister who saw his face,” she said.

“I was not in a good space to see the body myself.”

The family is now facing financial difficulties in arranging for the return of the body to Mthatha and burial arrangements.

“All I can say is it is very, very, very painful,” she said.

“Knowing I do not have the money to bury him also hurts.”

Mhlathi said she has a funeral policy with AVBOB, but it is still within the waiting period.

“I don’t have enough money to bury him. I need money to bury my son because I don’t have any. I can’t do this on my own,” she said.