Four South Africans missing in Mozambique
Authorities in Mozambique are searching for South Africans who went missing after going out to sea on January 12.
The four are presumed to have drowned.
They were part of a group of young people who travelled from Limpopo to the Mozambican Portuguese Island to celebrate a birthday.
Four members of the group were overpowered by a wave while swimming in the sea on Monday.
None of the bodies have been found yet.
Another four members of the group were rescued by Mozambique authorities.
Two of the missing South Africans hail from Groblersdal in Limpopo, two from Bloemfontein and one from Secunda.
The Department of International Relations says family members have since arrived in Mozambique to try and assist with the search for the four missing people.
The department’s Ndivhuwo Mabaya says they are also working together with local authorities to help locate the missing four.
"The authorities are presumed that they have drowned, we are in touch with the families, the families are arriving in Mozambique to assist with the rescue and just to be close there to see what they can do.
"High Commissioner Mandisi Mphahlwa is trying his best to make the families as comfortable as possible, but the reality is that we are dealing with a very difficult situation.
'We are increasing our capacity in Mozambique to see where we can assist, " says Mabaya.
Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha has also sent the mayor of the Elisa Motsaledi Municipality, Julia Mathebe, to support the families.
The premier’s spokesperson Kenny Mathivha says Mathabatha has been in communication with President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as Mozambican authorities and the families of the missing young people.
"We wish to thank the South African embassy, the Mozambican authorities and the navy for their immediate response in rescuing the four and the continued search for the other four.”
Search operations were temporarily halted on Thursday due to a high tide hitting the Mozambican coastal line.