‘Someone saw something’: Family’s plea after Durban fisherman vanishes

The family of missing Durban fisherman Dominic Saunders is enduring an agonising wait for answers as police and rescue teams continue searching the coastline after the 46-year-old disappeared while swimming at Treasure Beach.

Saunders was fishing in the Transhaven area of Treasure Beach, on the Bluff, on Monday, October 5, when he entered the water at about 12.30pm and vanished.

His brother, well-known Wentworth community activist Clint Leverton, said Saunders had been fishing with a friend before deciding to go for a swim.

“He went fishing and now we don’t know where he is. We are just hoping that someone saw something that can help us find him,” Leverton said.

Friend lost sight of Saunders in the water

Leverton said Saunders’ friend was at the beach with him but lost sight of the fisherman after he entered the sea.

“He went into the water with white and blue check sleeping shorts. He does go fishing often,” Leverton said.

According to a missing-person appeal shared by Renegades Search & Rescue, Saunders was last seen entering the water between approximately 12.30pm and 12.45pm.

He was wearing checked shorts and has multiple tattoos across his body.

Leverton said fishing was a regular part of his brother’s life and that Saunders would sometimes sell his catch.

However, the family became increasingly concerned because he was not known to disappear or remain away for extended periods.

A missing persons case has since been opened at Wentworth SAPS.

Search resumes after dangerous weather

The South African Police Service and Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue teams resumed operations on Wednesday, searching along Treasure Beach and Cuttings Beach in Merebank.

Search efforts had to be called off on Tuesday as severe weather and dangerous sea conditions made operations unsafe.

Saunders’ disappearance has triggered an urgent appeal to fishermen, lifeguards, boat users, beach management and members of the public who were at Treasure Beach or surrounding coastal areas on Monday.

His family is particularly appealing to anyone who may have taken photographs or videos at the beach around the time he disappeared to review the footage for anything that could assist search teams.

Family clings to hope

As rescue teams scour the coastline, Saunders’ family remains desperate for information that could explain what happened after he entered the water.

For Leverton and his family, even the smallest detail from someone who was at the beach could prove crucial.

“We are just hoping that someone saw something that can help us find him,” Leverton said.

Anyone with information about Saunders’ whereabouts or who may have seen him is urged to contact Dawn Gounden of Renegades Search & Rescue on 074 712 5855.

IOL News