Questions continue to surround the death of Driehoek High School learner Thomas Sithole, whose body was recovered from the Vaal River days after he went missing. His family has since launched a BackaBuddy campaign to support funeral arrangements and pursue independent avenues to establish what happened.
Thomas, a promising learner at Driehoek High School and prefect-elect for 2026, allegedly drowned during a boat outing on January 9, 2026, and his body was recovered on January 12, at around 10.30am.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed: “The body of a male that was found by the police at Vaal River on Monday, January 12, 2026, has been identified by a family member as that of Thomas Sithole, who was reported missing at Vanderbijlpark police station.”
Masondo also revealed that a case has since been taken over by police in Sasolburg, Free State, for further investigation.
The legal representative of the boat owner and skipper involved in the death of Thomas has released a detailed statement outlining the circumstances surrounding the incident on the Vaal River. Issued by Jaco van Heerden of BMH Inc, the statement was released in response to what he described as false and inaccurate allegations circulating on social media.
According to the statement, Thomas was spending a leisure day on the water with friends when the group boarded a 21-foot boat at around 1pm, with all inland water safety protocols followed by a licensed and experienced skipper. After stopping at a riverside restaurant at about 4.30pm, the group resumed their journey at around 5.35pm, accompanied by a jet-ski. During the return trip, both watercraft stopped to allow passengers to change places, at which point the skipper was alerted that Thomas was no longer on board. A headcount confirmed he was missing, and an immediate search of the water and shoreline was conducted before the SAPS water wing was contacted within 25 minutes and the incident reported at Vanderbijlpark police station.
The statement further confirms that Thomas was last seen seated at the rear of the vessel and that none of the passengers witnessed him leaving the boat. The skipper and passengers returned to the scene the following day to offer condolences to Thomas’s parents and provide statements to police. A body recovered from the Vaal River on Monday was later identified as Thomas.
Van Heerden said the families were known to each other and appealed to the community to refrain from speculation on social media while investigations by SAPS and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) continue. BMH Inc conveyed condolences to the Sithole family on behalf of its client and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
The BackaBuddy campaign revealed: “Thomas Sithole was a bright 17-year-old learner at Driehoek, chosen to be a prefect for 2026. He was a humble son, friend, brother, and cousin - loved by all who knew him. His life was tragically cut short far too soon. On Friday, 9 January 2026, Thomas was with friends on a boat outing. The details remain unclear, but it is said that he fell from the boat and could not be found. After days of searching, his body was finally retrieved on Monday, 12 January 2026, at around 10:30am. The family is devastated and now faces not only the heartbreak of losing Thomas but also the heavy financial burden that comes with seeking answers and laying him to rest.”
It is also explained that the campaign aims to support the family in several crucial ways:
• Funeral costs, to ensure Thomas receives the dignified farewell he deserves.
• Private autopsy, to confirm the circumstances surrounding his passing.
• Private investigator, the family believes an independent investigation is essential, as unanswered questions remain about what happened on the boat, and they want to ensure no detail is overlooked.
• Legal assistance, to protect the family’s rights and ensure accountability.
The campaign concludes with a heartfelt appeal:
“Let us stand together in solidarity and compassion. Every donation, no matter the size, brings the family closer to justice, closure, and healing.”
Saturday Star