Body of rugby player found

2012-03-29 20:23

Johannesburg - The body of one of the five missing rugby players swept out to sea in Port Elizabeth was found at the Ngqura Harbour, Eastern Cape police said.

"We have had a discovery of one of the missing people today at the Ngqura Harbour at 11:30," Captain Andre Beetge said.

"The person was positively identified by the family. His name is Anelisa Mbuzeli, aged 21."

The Motherwell rugby football club members went missing in the bay on Sunday, after being swept out to sea by rip currents.

Lifeguards rescued 15 people in total.

A member of the rugby team was taken back to shore, but died on the scene. The team had apparently taken to the water to cool down after a rugby practice.

Beegte said police would use the harbour area as a point of reference to find the remaining four.

"We are quite positive that we will be finding the others soon."

On Tuesday, police reportedly told relatives of the missing rugby players to accept that their relatives were dead.

"You must accept that they are no longer alive and be prepared for what may happen," Beeld quoted Captain Anton Groenewald, from the Swartkops police station, at a counselling session with local residents.

"It can be weeks before the bodies wash up, and it is possible that they may never emerge," he said.

Counsellors and social workers were sent to help the relatives and the victims' fellow players.

- SAPA