Ulundi, 3 January 2026 — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is deeply saddened to confirm a series of tragic drowning incidents that occurred at Pennington Beach and surrounding areas on New Year’s Day.
According to official reports, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) was alerted to a mass drowning incident at approximately 18:20 on Thursday, 01 January 2026.
A group of bathers were reportedly caught in distress within the surf zone, near the Pennington Beach tidal pool, after being swept out by powerful rip currents.
A multi-disciplinary search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving Umdoni Lifeguards, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), and various emergency medical services.
Current Status of Operations:
As of Saturday morning, 03 January 2026, the status of the Pennington Beach incident is as follows:
- Three (3) fatalities have been confirmed.
Two young males (aged 21) were recovered on the evening of the incident, and the body of an 18-year-old female was tragically located at Bazley Beach yesterday.
- Two (2) individuals were successfully rescued alive.
- Three (3) young males (all aged 21) remain missing.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre is currently coordinating ongoing search and recovery operations.
Teams resumed their efforts at first light today, deploying diving units, boat searches, and shoreline patrols.
The MEC for KZN COGTA, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has his shock and extended his condolences to the grieving families during this incredibly difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to the families who began the New Year with such devastating loss. We are mourning the young lives cut short by this tragedy. We also hold in our prayers the families of those who remain missing; our teams are doing everything humanly possible to bring closure to these households,” said MEC Buthelezi.
The MEC further commended the swift response of the lifeguards and first responders who worked under perilous conditions, including high tides and fading light, to rescue survivors.
The Department urges all beachgoers to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to the instructions of lifeguards and disaster management officials.
With the summer season continuing, the public is reminded to swim only in designated areas and to be wary of strong currents.
The SAPS has opened inquest dockets regarding the deceased, and the PDMC remains on high alert as search operations continue across the coastal belt.
ENDS