Tony Govender.
Image: Supplied
After five days of tireless searching, rescue teams found Tony Govender's body on Tuesday.
The former navy officer was presumed drowned at Hazelmere Dam during a birthday outing.
His family maintained a vigil, holding onto hope for his recovery.
Govender, 54, a businessman from Umhlanga, disappeared Friday while attempting to retrieve a jet ski which had drifted away due to strong winds.
On Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Metro Police Search and Rescue teams continued searching for Govender and finally found his body.
During a recent interview, his wife, Essie Govender, 52, said her husband went to the dam to celebrate his 54th birthday with his friends.
“Tony went out with his friends. His birthday was last Monday, but on Friday they planned to go to the dam to jet ski,” she said.
“One of the jet skis moved away from the shoreline, so Tony went after it. The jet ski was not properly secured and was floating away. Unfortunately, the jet ski seemed to move farther away. He did not realise it, and then he eventually went under. He did not have a life jacket on because I am sure he did not think anything of it. You look at the water and it appears very shallow, but it is very deceptive,” she said.
Rescue teams recover body of Tony Govender after birthday jet ski accident.
Image: Chumani Mazwi
She added that she had been informed that another individual attempted to rescue her husband but was nearly overcome by the water and had to abandon his efforts.
“Tony, unfortunately went under and they could not find him again,” she said.
The tragedy kept a vigil at the dam while search teams combed the area.
“We are surprised, distressed and obviously emotional," Essie had said.
Married for 29 years, Essie described her husband as a dedicated family man and entrepreneur. The couple built a transport business together and have two daughters, aged 28 and 23.
“Tony was a hard-working, committed, caring, loving and wonderful father. I am blessed to have him as a husband. He started the business on his own and together we took it to where it is today.”
Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said the organisation had been assisting the family throughout the search effort.
“We have been helping the family by dispatching the R44 Robinson Helicopter every day to assist in the search,” Balram said.