A horrific accident occurred on Sunday afternoon, April 13, which left three-year-old Aqhama Mnconywa’s body lost in the waters of the Crocodile River.

She was one of seven passengers flung from the back of a bakkie when its front left tyre burst on the N4 near Schagen, sending the vehicle out of control and crashing into the kerb of the bridge.

Since early Sunday evening, divers have been battling harsh conditions, combing the crocodile- and hippo-infested river, flanked by thick bush, in the hope of finding Aqhama.

“We know the chances of finding her alive are slim, but we need to bring her home,” said her aunt, Nobahle Mnconywa.

Three lives lost and three others survive

While Aqhama has yet to be found, her mother, Akhona’s body, was among the three recovered. It was found on a boulder in the river. The body of an eight-year-old boy was recovered from beneath the bridge. The body of another woman, whose identity remains unknown, was found in nearby bushes.

The group was travelling on the N4 towards Gauteng, returning home from a funeral in Marite, when tragedy struck.

Witnesses described a heated confrontation between the driver and front passenger in the aftermath, with the driver furiously accused the passenger of yanking the steering wheel when the tyre burst.

When the bakkie struck the kerb, its canopy dislodged which has not been found, sending all seven occupants who had been seated at the back flying into the river and surrounding bushes.

The three survivors, a mother and her two sons, were rescued and rushed to hospital by Emer-G-Med, which responded at about 15:30.

Emer-G-Med’s Martin Jeffrey confirmed that two victims were in a critical condition, while one sustained moderate injuries.
The driver and front passenger, who remain unidentified, survived unscathed.

The search for Aqhama continues

Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, stated that a search-and-rescue team, which includes divers and drones, has been deployed since Sunday evening.

Lowvelder has confirmed that the search team consists of the Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit and the provincial SAPS Operation Vala Umgodi Unit.

Ndubane said no leads were reported from the K9 Unit that was deployed on Tuesday, April 15.

Authorities had planned to deploy a helicopter on Wednesday, April 17, but with the Mpumalanga SAPS having only one operational chopper, which was undergoing a service, rescuers had to request assistance from Johannesburg. The helicopter did not arrive as expected due to inclement weather, further complicating the search.

Ndubane said the chopper would only fly down to the Lowveld on Saturday, April 19, when the skies are expected to clear. However, the team continues on foot.

Support from family friends

On Wednesday, Lowvelder visited the scene and found some family friends, who held the funeral in Marite on Saturday, April 12, assisting in the search.

Velly Maphanga said they are showing their support to Mnconywa family who are still in Gauteng making plans to come down.

He believes that Aqhama could be stuck to the unfound canopy when it fell into the gushing river.

He called for the Mpumalanga SAPS to make use of all their resources to find the girl so the family can find closure.