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Wife not coping after honeymoon tragedy

WEDDING DAY BLISS: Livhuwani Malivhoho and his wife Vhutshilo before tragedy struck on a beach in Mozambique where they had gone for their honeymoon PHOTO: SUPPLIED
WEDDING DAY BLISS: Livhuwani Malivhoho and his wife Vhutshilo before tragedy struck on a beach in Mozambique where they had gone for their honeymoon PHOTO: SUPPLIED

When a Limpopo man witnessed his cousin getting married in a beautiful ceremony in Thohoyandou recently, he never imagined the couple's honeymoon on the Mozambican coast would end in tragedy.

Livhuwani Malivhoho and his new bride Vhutshilo were taking a swim in the waters of Zabora Beach, north of Maputo, when Malivhoho disappeared. He is feared to have drowned.

His cousin Mulalo Tshikalange said both families were shaken by the incident.

Tshikalange said the couple had tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony on Saturday July 30 before jetting off a few days later to enjoy their honeymoon in Mozambique.

"It was one of those memorable events - very big and beautiful," Tshikalange said.

But he explained how the honeymoon turned tragic when the newlyweds were taking a swim in the waters of Zabora Beach, north of Maputo.

Tshikalange said the families received a panicked phone call from Vhutshilo informing them that her husband had vanished.

He said the two had been swimming together but then Vhutshilo decided to get out of the water because she was feeling tired.

"She looked away for a few minutes to attend to something. When she looked towards the water her husband was no longer there.

"She tried to call out his name but there was no response; that's when she asked people for help," Tshikalange said.

He said Vhutshilo, who had now been joined by other relatives in Mozambique, was receiving medical attention as the search for her husband continued.

"She is not coping at all."

Tshikalange said Malivhoho's family were also devastated. He said it was especially difficult for his parents as they had struggled to put him through school despite their dire poverty.

"This man was the only hope for the family."

Yesterday, Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha's spokesman Kenny Mathivha said the provincial government would work with the International Relations Department and the Mozambican authorities to help find Malivhoho's body. Mathivha said Mathabatha had called on all South Africans to pray for the families of Malivhoho.

"Let's all pray for the family of Malivhoho and remain positive that he will be found," said Mathivha yesterday.

mahopoz@sowetan.co.za

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