Cape Town - A mother’s worst fears were confirmed when her son’s body washed up in a Kuils River canal yesterday.
After a five-day search, rescuers found the body of Theodore Salvester, 29, who was believed to have drowned last week.
Community activist Apostle Adrian Meyer explained at the time that Salvester and a friend had gone to collect scrap metal.
While walking with his friend, they picked up an old rusty rim outside someone’s yard but as they walked near the canal, two men approached them accusing him of stealing it.
Salvester allegedly ran away along the canal and slipped and fell in.
Meyer said due to the heavy rainfall last week, the canal had overflowed and Salvester was swept away by the current.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the body was found by firefighters from the City’s Kuils River Fire Station yesterday, and police were alerted to lead the recovery.
“Since the incident, the City availed its Fire and Rescue swift water rescue team, the law enforcement marine and environmental unit, and the use of a drone.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, while we wait for confirmation from the SAPS. I want to thank everyone involved in the search,” said Smith.
Salvester was identified by his relatives on the scene.
His grieving mother, Charlotte Brinkhuis, 50, said: “My heart is at peace because we found him but my heart is sore like any parent’s heart would be who has lost a child.
“The way in which he died (hurts). He lived with me and was my breadwinner. He did not have work but every day he would get up and skarrel (hussle) for me because he knows I don’t work. Every day he gave me a R50 or R100 or whatever he earned.”
Cape Argus