The search for 11-year-old Athi Zimi Mnguni has ended in tragedy after her body was discovered in a river in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, nearly four weeks after she disappeared.
Athi was reported missing on August 31 after she could not be located following an outing at a nearby sports field in Nomcamba, in the Zinduneni administrative area of Ngqeleni.
According to police, the young girl had been playing on the sports field with two other children, aged six and nine, on August 30 when she disappeared.
Her family became increasingly concerned when she failed to return home and could not be found. A missing-person report was subsequently opened at the Ngqeleni police station.
At the time of her disappearance, Athi was reportedly wearing blue denim shorts, a maroon T-shirt, a blue tracksuit top and a grey hat.
Police launched an extensive search operation involving several units and members of the local community. Officers from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit in Mthatha worked alongside members of the Ngqeleni police and the K9 unit in an effort to locate the child.
The mounted unit later joined the search, while police officers and community members conducted door-to-door searches in surrounding villages.
Despite the efforts, there were no immediate breakthroughs in the search.
The investigation took a tragic turn on Thursday when local residents reportedly discovered a decomposed body in a river in the Nomcamba locality while hunting in a nearby forest.
Police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the discovery and said the body was identified by Athi’s family and members of the community.
According to police, the child was still wearing the same clothing she had on when she disappeared, helping the family and community identify her.
The discovery brought an end to weeks of uncertainty for Athi’s family, who had been hoping that she would be found alive.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death. At this stage, police have not publicly provided details about how Athi ended up in the river or whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the case.
Before her body was found, investigating officer Captain Isaac Nomanjila had appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist investigators in locating Athi.
Anyone who may have information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact the police or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Athi’s death has left her family and the wider Ngqeleni community mourning the loss of a young girl whose disappearance had prompted a large search effort.
The investigation is expected to focus on establishing what happened to Athi after she disappeared from the sports field and determining the circumstances that led to the discovery of her body in the river.
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