Key Takeaways:
- 17-year-old Thomas Junior Sithole went missing after falling off a boat in the Vaal River during an outing with friends.
- The family is concerned about the five-hour delay between the teen’s disappearance and the reporting of the matter to the police.
- Allegations of alcohol on the boat in the presence of minors have raised serious concerns about supervision and safety measures.
- The family is calling for truth, accountability, and any information that might help bring them closure.
- Search and rescue teams are continuing to comb the river, but Thomas has not yet been found.
Introduction to the Incident
The family of Thomas Junior Sithole is living a nightmare as police continue searching the Vaal River for the 17-year-old who went missing after falling off a boat during an outing with friends on Friday evening. The incident occurred near the Stonehaven resort, and the family was only alerted several hours later, a delay that they believe robbed them of precious time to locate Thomas. The family’s cousin, Sibongile Radebe, said that the group was meant to be out for a short excursion, and the skipper of the boat was one of the boys’ fathers.
The Events Leading Up to the Disappearance
According to Radebe, the group stopped at Stonehaven to buy drinks before heading back onto the river. While some of the boys later claimed that no alcohol was taken back onto the boat, Radebe disputed this, stating that there is footage of one of the boys holding alcohol as they got back onto the boat. The boat was relatively small, with most passengers initially seated at the front. At some point, the group decided to rearrange seating so others could take turns riding a jet ski. It was during this time that Thomas fell into the river, and the group realized he was no longer on the boat.
The Delay in Reporting the Incident
The family is deeply troubled by the five-hour delay between Thomas’s disappearance and the reporting of the matter to the police. Radebe said that Thomas is believed to have fallen into the river at around 17:00, yet the family was only informed at approximately 22:00. This delay, she believes, hindered efforts to locate Thomas, and by the time the family was told, it was already dark. The family’s distress was further compounded by confusion over whether the incident had been formally reported to the police.
The Search and Rescue Efforts
Search and rescue teams were deployed over the weekend, but Thomas has not yet been found. Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said that the South African Police Service (SAPS) Water Wing and Search and Rescue Unit were continuing their efforts to locate the missing teen. However, Radebe said that the family’s distress was compounded by the lack of communication from the authorities. When they arrived at the scene on Saturday, there were police and divers, but no one was really talking to them. It was only in the early hours of Saturday morning, after the family returned to Vanderbijlpark SAPS, that a formal missing persons case was opened.
The Family’s Plea for Truth and Accountability
As search teams continued combing the river on Sunday, Radebe said that the family was clinging to memories of the boy they know and love and may never see again. Thomas was described as a gorgeous, humble, and gentle child who was popular at school and deeply loved by his friends and family. The family has appealed to anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the search continues. Radebe said that this is about finding Thomas, but it’s also about truth and accountability, and their child deserves that much. The family is calling for anyone with information to come forward and help bring them closure.