A husband has recounted the last moments he spent with his wife on the boat cruise in Hartbeespoort Dam, North West, which ended tragically on Saturday.
Four women died, including Nhlonipho Mnguni's wife Gwen, when the cruise boat caught fire in the dam. Mnguni of Diepkloof, Soweto, said the accident happened just after 2pm as they were about to have lunch.
He said the boat was stationary when the blaze started, prompting him to run around to find a fire extinguisher to help put it out. He did not know that his 33-year-old wife was trapped in the ferry's toilet.
"I do not know how or where the fire started. All I remember is that I was running around and helping extinguish the fire. I had no idea my wife was trapped in the toilet," said Mnguni, who had been married to Gwen for five years.
He said the last conversation he had with his wife was about their upcoming week-long vacation to the Garden Route in December.
"We couldn't wait for the trip, it would have been just the two of us."
The Garden Route is a stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa, from Mossel Bay in Western Cape to the Storms River in Eastern Cape.
Mnguni said when the fire started to get stronger, he began searching for his wife as other passengers were being loaded onto smaller rescue boats.
Mnguni said the boat would at times move very slowly during the cruise, which had started at noon and was expected to end at 3pm.
"There were already people leaving in rescue boats, and I assumed she was one of them. I assumed she was already rescued when I couldn't find her."
Mnguni said he left the ferry on the last (rescue) boat and reported his wife missing, adding that dozens of passengers were taken to different places.
He said a police officer later told them that there was someone trapped in the ferry. They were also told that a body had been retrieved from the toilet and that he should go and identify it.
"I was not expecting it would be her. It was just a formality for me. So when I saw her body, it was a shock and immediate devastation," Mnguni said as he fought to hold back tears.
He said she died of smoke inhalation and was not burnt as earlier reported. The couple had joined their long-term friends on the cruise as the Mngunis celebrated their fifth-year wedding anniversary.
They had known each other for 14 years, and got married on October 22 and had three children aged 17-months, seven and 12 years.
"We had taken our children to their aunt's house. They are still there. They have not grasped what is happening. Even though they know the concept of a person passing away and going to heaven, it's still hard to grasp that it is their mother," Mnguni said.
He said his wife was a claims manager at a financial institution. "My wife was joyful, loving, supportive, driven, committed and helpful.
"She was a wonderful mother and wife. I will miss her love for our kids and family. She lived life to the fullest," Mnguni said.
Witness statements taken by authorities
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has been taking statements from witnesses into the tragic boat accident at Hartbeespoort Dam in North West.
Samsa, the police forensic and the fire departments were investigating the cause of the blaze.
Samsa spokesman Tebogo Ramatjie said: "Samsa will also from today start taking witness statements from all the involved and/or affected parties, with primary focus on the cause of the fire.
"The vessel, named Prime Time (DTD 1523 R), caught fire while cruising on the dam.
"The vessel is certified by Samsa to carry 200 passengers plus three crew on board.
"Initial investigations indicate that the vessel caught fire in the rear where the kitchen, the bathrooms and the outboard motors (engines) are situated."
He said the vessel had a valid local general safety certificate for the period August 2016 to July 2017.
North West police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Pelonomi Makau said investigations were ongoing.
"We have opened inquest dockets. That is the only thing we are investigating. Samsa is looking into the cause of the accident and other things."
Cruise organisers Boaters World Adventure did not respond to requests for comment.
mashabas@sowetan.co.za
Husband tells how wife died in Hartbeespoort Dam tragedy
A husband has recounted the last moments he spent with his wife on the boat cruise in Hartbeespoort Dam, North West, which ended tragically on Saturday.
Four women died, including Nhlonipho Mnguni's wife Gwen, when the cruise boat caught fire in the dam. Mnguni of Diepkloof, Soweto, said the accident happened just after 2pm as they were about to have lunch.
He said the boat was stationary when the blaze started, prompting him to run around to find a fire extinguisher to help put it out. He did not know that his 33-year-old wife was trapped in the ferry's toilet.
"I do not know how or where the fire started. All I remember is that I was running around and helping extinguish the fire. I had no idea my wife was trapped in the toilet," said Mnguni, who had been married to Gwen for five years.
He said the last conversation he had with his wife was about their upcoming week-long vacation to the Garden Route in December.
"We couldn't wait for the trip, it would have been just the two of us."
The Garden Route is a stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa, from Mossel Bay in Western Cape to the Storms River in Eastern Cape.
Mnguni said when the fire started to get stronger, he began searching for his wife as other passengers were being loaded onto smaller rescue boats.
Mnguni said the boat would at times move very slowly during the cruise, which had started at noon and was expected to end at 3pm.
"There were already people leaving in rescue boats, and I assumed she was one of them. I assumed she was already rescued when I couldn't find her."
Mnguni said he left the ferry on the last (rescue) boat and reported his wife missing, adding that dozens of passengers were taken to different places.
He said a police officer later told them that there was someone trapped in the ferry. They were also told that a body had been retrieved from the toilet and that he should go and identify it.
"I was not expecting it would be her. It was just a formality for me. So when I saw her body, it was a shock and immediate devastation," Mnguni said as he fought to hold back tears.
He said she died of smoke inhalation and was not burnt as earlier reported. The couple had joined their long-term friends on the cruise as the Mngunis celebrated their fifth-year wedding anniversary.
They had known each other for 14 years, and got married on October 22 and had three children aged 17-months, seven and 12 years.
"We had taken our children to their aunt's house. They are still there. They have not grasped what is happening. Even though they know the concept of a person passing away and going to heaven, it's still hard to grasp that it is their mother," Mnguni said.
He said his wife was a claims manager at a financial institution. "My wife was joyful, loving, supportive, driven, committed and helpful.
"She was a wonderful mother and wife. I will miss her love for our kids and family. She lived life to the fullest," Mnguni said.
Witness statements taken by authorities
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has been taking statements from witnesses into the tragic boat accident at Hartbeespoort Dam in North West.
Samsa, the police forensic and the fire departments were investigating the cause of the blaze.
Samsa spokesman Tebogo Ramatjie said: "Samsa will also from today start taking witness statements from all the involved and/or affected parties, with primary focus on the cause of the fire.
"The vessel, named Prime Time (DTD 1523 R), caught fire while cruising on the dam.
"The vessel is certified by Samsa to carry 200 passengers plus three crew on board.
"Initial investigations indicate that the vessel caught fire in the rear where the kitchen, the bathrooms and the outboard motors (engines) are situated."
He said the vessel had a valid local general safety certificate for the period August 2016 to July 2017.
North West police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Pelonomi Makau said investigations were ongoing.
"We have opened inquest dockets. That is the only thing we are investigating. Samsa is looking into the cause of the accident and other things."
Cruise organisers Boaters World Adventure did not respond to requests for comment.
mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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