Retired Mthatha businessman drowns after boat capsizes

Retired businessman Hillary Harper, who ran a string of businesses in Mthatha for many years, was among two people who reportedly drowned when their boat capsized at the Mthatha Mouth in Ngqeleni on Friday.

The incident took place shortly after lunchtime, according to police.

Provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed an inquest had been opened into the boat accident.

“Police can confirm that they are investigating an inquest following a freak boat accident that claimed two lives in Ngqeleni on Friday,” he said on Monday.

“At about 1.30pm, a boat ferrying three men capsized. One person survived and the other two drowned.

“Their bodies were retrieved and the boat is still missing.”

Harper’s family declined to comment on Monday.

Among his many businesses, Harper reportedly ran a car service and repair businesses and later opened a towing business in Mthatha.

He relocated to Harding in KwaZulu-Natal upon retiring.

A fellow businessman, who did not want to be named, said according to reports he had heard, Harper and a friend had chartered a small single-engine boat to cross the Mthatha Mouth on Friday afternoon when tragedy struck.

He said there was a suspicion that the boat had a leak and took in water, which led to it capsizing in the middle of the river.

“The [boat] skipper went with them but as it was taking in water, we suspect it was unable to take their weight on the one side and the incoming water, which possibly led to it capsizing.

“It is standard procedure that all boats must have life jackets whether people can or cannot swim, but we do not have the details yet as to whether they were there.”

Another businessman, Enslinn Sutton, said the whole of Mthatha was still reeling in shock at the news of Harper’s death.

An Mthatha attorney and one of Harper’s longtime friends, Ntsikane Mtshabe, said he was devastated at the news.

He said he was shocked to learn of his friend’s death on social networks.

Daily Dispatch