Drowning in Cuba – student’s body to be returned this week

LOCAL medical student Cebo Makhaye, who died in Cuba earlier this month, was set to return to South Africa in July to begin his practical training before graduating as a doctor.

Makhaye, from Manguzi in uMhlabuyalingana, was one of two students who drowned in a swimming pool in Cuba’s capital city Havana.

With no one permanently employed, the large extended Makhaye family had pinned its hopes on Cebo, who was a fifth year student.

He was scheduled to return and complete his 18 months experiential training and then graduate.

It is alleged that Makhaye and his friend, fourth-year student Sibusiso Thanks Ngeleka, had attended a birthday party at a private house when they decided to go and cool down in the swimming pool.

‘When they did not return, their friends started a frantic search for them.

ALSO READ: Local medical student drowns in Cuba

‘After Cebo was discovered inside the pool, he was rushed to hospital but died on the way. The group, meanwhile, continued the search for Sibusiso, who was then also found in the pool,’ the Department of Health in KZN said in a statement.

Visiting the Makhaye family, MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said the students’ bodies are expected to be returned to South Africa towards the end of this week once the post-mortems have been completed.

They will be embalmed and then transported to France, from where they will be flown to Johannesburg and then on to KwaZulu-Natal.

‘When these students are recruited into this programme, we prioritise those who are academically bright, but who also come from poor homes where they cannot afford to pay for their studies,’ said Dhlomo.

There are currently 2 885 medical students in Cuba at various levels of study, with 590 having already qualified.

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