The search for the three-year-old Aqhama Mnconywa in the waters of the Crocodile River, infested with crocodiles and hippos, has proved to be a strenuous mission.

The girl was one of seven passengers flung from the back of a bakkie when its front left tyre burst on the N4 in Schagen outsite Mbombela on April 13, sending the vehicle out of control and crashing into the barrier of the bridge.

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

Police, family continue to search for girl

Since the accident, the Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit has been combing the rocky and slippery banks of the river in the hope of finding her. They have been unable to enter the water due to a high population of crocodiles and hippos.

The unit’s captain, Pottie Potgieter, and his team had been scouring the Crocodile River, going on 11 days on Wednesday, but to no avail.

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“This river is one of the most dangerous to work. Currently most of the hippos have calves and they will attack without being provoked. We have covered 10km downstream from the N4 bridge and have started to go upstream. There are no roads or pathways close to the banks, so we have to cut through bushes and it is taking a lot of effort to conduct the search. We are doing our utmost best to find the child.” said Potgieter.

Mother cannot be buried without daughter

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, Sihle Khoza, was recovered from beneath the bridge and his mother, Nelisiwe Khoza, was found in nearby bushes.

The three survivors are Nelisiwe’s two sons, Njabulo Ndlovu and Lwazi Khoza, and her niece, Noxolo Khoza.

Njabulo and Lwazi were discharged from hospital, but Noloxo is still recovering.

According to Nelisiwe’s husband, Sunday Mbuyane, who was a passenger, his brother-in-law was driving the bakkie. He said there was no altercation between them before the accident happened, as witnesses have claimed.

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Aqhama’s family continue to visit the river to search. They cannot bury Aqhama’s mother without finding her daughter.

A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, who visited the search area on Wednesday, confirmed that a culpable homicide case has been opened against the driver of the bakkie. He said no arrest has been made, as the investigation is still pending.