The Erongo Governor's order to urgently remove rocks believed to have trapped a 15-year-old boy, who drowned 43 days ago near Platz am Meer Mall in Swakopmund, has still not been carried out.

The governor gave authorities until Monday to act, but the rocks remain untouched.

More than a month after 15-year-old Erwin Bezuidenhout went under the water at the man-made marina, the search for his body continues.

A private sea rescuer said the teenager was seen going under the water by a witness and two tourists.

Sean Naude stressed that the strong ocean current makes it unlikely that the boy simply washed out to sea.

He believes underwater caves and openings beneath the rocks at the marina could have trapped him.

Police searches have included divers, a helicopter, and scanning equipment. But authorities have not recovered the body.
“We believe strongly, now more than ever, based on all our calculations and our observations of the ocean—watching how things float in and out and how they get pulled under—that the child must be under the structure. We have literally climbed into the structure, where you can walk about five metres inside and find huge caves. We have therefore come to the conclusion that he must be under the structure. We have been trying to get help and have been going through the pockets and everything else to see if we can find something that would give us reason to open up the structure. That is where we are now.”

Naude explained that his team tried to remove the rocks, but the management of Platz am Meer Mall allegedly stopped the operation.

That is when the Erongo Governor, who recently visited the boy's family, intervened in the matter.

"So, the possibility that the child may be trapped somewhere among the rocks should be investigated. Let it be tested. Please allow this exercise, Commissioner, to take place. We are ready to assist. The mining industry is ready to assist in accordance with the engineering guidelines, and we will comply with them. It may be an expensive exercise, but, colleagues, what is more valuable than human life? Nothing.”

The governor shared an engineering assessment, which was reportedly completed to determine whether the rocks in the area can safely be moved.

The governor's office said the mall owners have no objection to continuing diving, provided safety measures are followed.

Dr. Goagoses urged authorities and other stakeholders to act quickly and gave them until Monday.

“Let us not take too long to consider other options. Continue your search, but let us allow Mr. Sean and the other divers to go to the location where they believe the body could be, if at all possible. If all the necessary equipment and human resources are available, and the divers are ready, let us consider a period of two to three days from today.
For the traumatised family, the priority is finding their son, gaining closure, and bringing the search to an end.