VAAL RIVER TRAGEDY: Legal Representative Issues Statement on Thomas Junior Sithole's Death

VANDERBIJLPARK – The legal representative of the boat owner and skipper involved in the tragic death of Thomas Junior Sithole has released a detailed statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident that occurred on Friday, 9 January 2026 on the Vaal River.

Jaco Van Heerden of BMH Inc, representing the boat owner, issued the statement to address what he described as "false and inaccurate allegations and speculation" circulating on social media platforms.

According to the statement, Thomas Sithole was enjoying a leisure day on the water with friends and the boat owner when the incident occurred. The group boarded the 21-foot craft around 13:00, with all safety protocols applicable to inland water operations reportedly followed throughout the day.

The Timeline of Events

The statement provides a detailed timeline of the day's events. After departing around 13:00, the group arrived at a well-known riverside restaurant approximately 16:30. Thomas and other passengers disembarked to purchase food while the licensed skipper remained with the craft. A jet-ski with another qualified pilot and passenger accompanied the boat throughout the day.

At approximately 17:35, passengers returned to the boat and two individuals departed on the jet-ski. The remaining passengers, including Thomas, boarded the craft which then headed toward the original launch site.

During the return journey, a female passenger requested to switch places with someone on the jet-ski. Both watercraft stopped to facilitate the exchange. It was during this passenger swap that another individual informed the skipper that Thomas was no longer aboard.

"An immediate head count was undertaken," the statement reads. "It was then ascertained that he was indeed not on the craft."

According to Van Heerden's account, all passengers were questioned about Thomas's whereabouts, but none had witnessed him leaving the boat. He was last seen sitting at the rear of the vessel.

Emergency Response and Investigation

The skipper immediately conducted searches both on the water in the vicinity of the passenger exchange and along the shoreline. After confirming Thomas was not on shore, the skipper contacted the SAPS water wing within 25 minutes of realizing he was missing.

The incident was formally reported at Vanderbijlpark SAPS, who provided further assistance. The mother of one passenger attempted to contact Thomas's parents while the skipper was being interviewed by police. The parents were reached later that evening.

On 10 January 2026, the skipper and other passengers returned to the scene and met with Thomas's parents to express their condolences. A comprehensive statement was provided to SAPS regarding the incident.

The statement confirms that a body was recovered from the Vaal River on Monday and identified as Thomas Junior Sithole.

Community Appeal

Van Heerden's statement emphasizes the relationship between the families, noting that "Thomas was house friends with the skipper and his family."

"His loss has been a traumatic experience for their family, just like it has been for the Sithole family," the statement reads.

The legal representative issued a strong appeal to the community: "We ask that the community refrain from making uninformed comments on social media, as this does not constructively contribute to the investigation or the grieving process that will now follow."

The statement confirms that the boat owner's family plans to meet with the Sithole family "in due course once the Sithole family is ready." In the interim, full cooperation with SAPS and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has been pledged.

Legal Compliance Emphasized

The media statement stresses that at all material times, safety protocols for craft operating in inland waters were followed. The skipper is described as "duly licensed, qualified and experienced in operating the craft."

BMH Inc conveyed sincere condolences on behalf of their client and his family, as well as from the firm as members of the Vaal Triangle community, to the family and friends of Thomas Sithole.

The investigation by SAPS and SAMSA is ongoing.

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