The lifeless body of eight-year-old Siyabonga Mkhwanazi, who was reported missing, was discovered in a manhole drain near his home in Emdeni, Soweto, yesterday.

Soweto Urban reports that his body was recovered following an intensive search by the K9 search-and-rescue team.

According to people at the scene, his hands and knees appeared shrivelled, and there was foam coming from his nose.

Last seen

In a statement released by the police, the Grade Two learner was last seen on Saturday.

Siyabonga’s sister, Gugu Mtenjane, told Urban News that he had gone outside after hearing a car horn, thinking it was his father arriving. That was the last time he was seen.

“After a few hours, my dad came home alone without Siyabonga. We immediately started to worry. We began searching for him, and we contacted close family, friends, and even community groups. When Siyabonga’s mother got home from work, she and my dad went to the police station to open a case,” said Mtenjane.

She added that the family is deeply saddened by the tragedy and, if someone is responsible, they hope justice will be served.

Community offers support

Following the discovery of Siyabonga’s body, the community gathered to offer comfort and support to the family through a prayer session.

Ward councillor Thapelo Radebe expressed his condolences to the family.

“We are concerned about the state of the municipality’s infrastructure, which is not in good condition. We will not speculate on what happened to the child, whether he was thrown inside or fell in, but the fact remains that he was found inside the drain, and that is deeply worrying,” said Radebe.

He added that the rising number of children who are being attacked or going missing is alarming.

Radebe stressed the need to build safer communities and to return to the values of looking out for one another’s children, saying such principles could make a significant difference.

Soweto Urban is still awaiting an official police report.

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