Daily Sun (December 11 2014) - THE CONGREGATION watched helplessly as the small waves pushed Pastor Tebogo deeper into the muddy water.
Further and further he went, waving his arms for help that never came.
FINALLY, THE YOUNG MAN WHO HAD SHOWN SO MUCH PROMISE DISAPPEARED UNDER THE WATER.
The body of Tebogo Mokoena (32), known for his work as a gobela, an apostolic pastor and the owner of an initiation school, was later found by police divers.
Tebogo's broken-hearted mother, Ntswaki Mokoena from Sebokeng, Vaal said she watched her son drowning in the dam where they took the New Reformed Apostolic Brethren Church members to be baptised.
"He was in the water with two pastors. Four men were baptised and when it was the turn of the women he asked me to lead them," she told Daily Sun.
"I didn't want to go but he made me go into the water."
She said they walked into the water up to their necks. "But before the women could be baptised I saw him waving at me, shouting for help," she said.
"The other two pastors who were with him stood by helplessly as the waves pushed him further and further and he vanished into the deep water where he drowned."
More than 20 people were not baptised and many initiates were stuck in the mountain, waiting for his return, to graduate.
Ntswaki said Tebogo was a happy man who was known for his service to the community.
"His death has left a big hole in my heart. I will miss him," she said.
"Many people have been flocking to our house to receive blessings and healing power from the gifted young man."
Ntswaki said her son showed that he would become a sangoma when he was still a young boy.
Maria Maduna (63) said the police divers found his body not far from where they had last seen him.
"The community has been robbed of a great spiritual leader. It's sad how he died," she said.
When Palesa Moloi arrived at the house she cried uncontrollably as Tebogo's mother tried to console her.
"I first came to see him because I couldn't speak or walk," Palesa told Daily Sun.
"He healed me. I am able to do things for myself because of him and now he is no more. I can't explain how sad I am."
Bishop David Mzoto of The New Reformed Faith Apostolic Brethren Church, said Tebogo's death is a great tragedy.
"We were all in the water and saw him drowning. We couldn't help him and we called the police divers who found him," said the bishop.
"It is God's will that we can't control."
A community member who didn't want to be named said he was shocked to hear about Tebogo's death.
He said his cousin's son was at an initiation school waiting for Tebogo. "I don't know how he will come back from the mountains where Tebogo took them."
Police have opened an inquest docket.
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