It took two days for a team of 10 highly experienced divers to retrieve the bodies of two of the three Indian men who drowned at Nandoni Dam on Saturday. Shuaib (32), Mehboob (26) and Mohsin (20), all from the prominent Patel business family, were having fun in the deep waters when they lost control of their Jetski water bike, resulting in the tragedy that shocked the whole of South Africa.

Many believe that the lives of the three could have been saved if they had put on life jackets, but, unfortunately, tragedy took them away during their happiest hour.

Shuaib was the owner of Thohoyandou Spare City and two Vodashops in Thohoyandou and another Vodashop in Giyani. Mehboob worked at Sibasa Super Spares, whereas Mohsin worked at Sibasa Crown Bakery.

Shuaib was riding the water bike at about 16:30 on Saturday when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses say they thought the trio were enjoying themselves, but they realized that it was becoming more serious when the deep waters swallowed them. Local community members managed to retrieve Shuaib, who was still alive at the time, but he died on the way to hospital. They then failed to retrieve the bodies of Mehboob and Mohsin, because it was becoming dark.

Three divers from Polokwane, joined by the Thohoyandou Search and Rescue Dog Unit, detectives and a special task force, were summoned on Sunday morning and they started searching for the two bodies in the deep waters. The search was halted at about 16:00 on Sunday because the team was waiting for backup and reinforcements they had requested from Pretoria. Other factors that contributed to the halting of the search were thorn bushes and grass of between one and two metres in the water, which made it very difficult for the divers to move around in the dam. There was also a lot of mud in the water, which made the visibility in the water almost zero.

Despite all the disturbing factors in the water, the search continued again on Monday morning, after the backup team from Pretoria arrived. The body of Mehboob was discovered floating in the waters at about 14:30. It was then taken out and the search for the second body continued until it was recovered at about 18:00.

The Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, Vhembe District Municipality Executive Mayor Irene Mustila and the Mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane, were amongst the dignitaries who expressed condolences to the bereaved families. They were also at the scene of the incident during the search.

Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of the Limpopo police confirmed three inquest cases, which are being invested by the police.

Mr Madina Ayob (27), a member of the Indian community, who was very close to the trio who died, said they are impressed by the support they received from everyone since the day of the tragedy. "We have seen how everyone put aside their duties to join us until the bodies of our beloved brothers were found. Although the tragedy has left us speechless, we are very thankful because we have realized that the nation really cares for the Indian community."

Madina said of the three: "They were young businessmen who had a bright future, but there is nothing we can do because fate has determined their destiny. We will dearly miss them."