Ward 109 councillor Werner Smit has stated that the body, which is still to be identified by the parents and relatives, was found by a worker cleaning next to the river two weeks after the incident, Alex News reports.
“The partly decomposed body is still to be verified as that of Everite. This may be [done] through DNA testing,” Smit said.
He added that if it was her and as tragic as it is, it would bring the parents and relatives nearer to closure – especially for the father.
Councillor Adolph Marema, of Ward 116, where other residents also suffered in the flood, said City Council’s Emergency Management Services would accompany the family to the site today, and social workers and psychologists from the Department of Social Development would provide trauma and bereavement counselling to help the family cope with the tragedy.
Funeral arrangements will only be made after the body has been identified.
On the morning of November 23, police spokesperson Kay Makhubela reported that the parents of the missing girl would go and identify the body.
Makhubela explained that DNA samples of Chauke’s parents had been sent to the laboratory for testing on Wednesday to help identify the body that was found.
“DNA swabs were taken from the Chaukes at the mortuary, and we will wait for the forensic experts to tell us who the body belongs to,” he said.
Meanwhile, most of those affected by the floods are still camped in churches, halls and transit camps, where they are receiving relief support while waiting for a solution to their shelter needs.
Her parents have undergone counselling at Bramley Police Station.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela, the counselling was important so the family would be better prepared for whatever the outcome of the identification process may be.
– Caxton News Service
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