The body of Sinethemba Ngcece Sibiya (8) who went missing a week ago in Mtwalume, a settlement on the South Coast, was found near a river last Friday.

The tragedy has left her family and community traumatised.

Sinethemba’s father, Siphe Sibiya said no words can describe the pain he is feeling over the loss of his daughter.

“She was the only girl child in my family and it hurts. She was respectful, calm and obedient. I can’t believe that someone could be so heartless and brutal to my child. Her body was found near the Mfazazana River close to our home. We are hoping that the culprit will be caught and brought to book,” said Sibiya.

Sinethemba went missing on September 14, after she was last seen leaving Makhoso Primary School. It’s believed she went to a nearby tuckshop to buy chips and was later seen speaking to the driver of a red VW Polo.

The family, community and the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit searched the area from the day she was missing for an entire week but to no avail. A cash reward of R30 000 was also offered to anyone with information.

Police spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge confirmed that Sinethemba’s body was found near a river.

“A murder case has been opened for investigation and no arrests have been made,”said Mpinge.

The Umzumbe Municipality has condemned the brutality towards women and children.

“As a local government, we are devastated by this terrible act. Not long ago, our municipality was covered by a dark cloud of women being killed. It is insulting when it happens to children. We hope the law will play its role and find the perpetrator who is punished severely,” said mayor Bongani Nysuswa.

Nyuswa thanked members of the community and the police for working together and around the clock to find the child.

“We are also asking for the co-operation of the government, Amakhosi, political parties and the community to fight against the killing of women and children, especially in Mtwalume. As the municipality, we offer our condolences to the family, the school she attended and her friends.”

The chairperson of non-profit, Women of Mtwalume, Nombuso Sibisi said enough is enough. “This has gone too far. Not so long ago, a girl child was found buried in a shallow hole near a river, fortunately the perpetrator was arrested. In this case, we don’t know who he is and what is even more strange is that a search was conducted where she was found. I strongly believe that the culprit is among us and is watching us. I want to say this without fear that we will find him,” said Sibisi.

She also believes that Sinethemba was taken by someone she knows. “We ask the police to play their part so that this month does not end without the culprit being arrested,” Sibisi concluded.