The body of five-year-old Mvelo Gumede was found floating in a neighbour’s pool in Lotusville, Verulam, north of Durban, this morning after he went missing on yesterday afternoon.

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram says a search was launched for the missing boy around 18:30 yesterday after he went missing while playing in the yard at his home.

Balram explains that, according to the boy’s father, Mvelo was playing with a six-year-old girl, whose family are tenants on the property, when she decided to return home for refreshments. Mvelo could not be found after that.

He says the little girl was interviewed by law enforcement officers but was unable to provide any information.

“A search party was formulated and several locations around Lotusville were explored without success. The search was called off at 02:30 and resumed at 06:00 [this morning].”

Balram says their Rusa helicopter was being prepped for lift-off to assist in the search for the missing boy earlier today.

“The six-year-old girl was re-interviewed by her aunt this morning. She appeared visibly traumatised and was still unable to provide any information.”

While Rusa members were searching a bush in the area, Balram explains they were informed by a resident that a child was found floating in his pool approximately 50m from the search team’s location.

He said the child’s body was retrieved from the pool by medics at 07:21 and they declared him dead shortly after.

“The boy sustained traumatic injuries to his face. His sandals were found floating in the pool. Foul play could not be confirmed.”

Balram says Mvelo stays in Ndwedwe with his mother, but was spending the school holidays with his father in Lotusville.

“It is suspected that the deceased entered the yard two doors away from his home through a damaged diamond wire mesh fence,” adds Balram.

He says investigations are continuing.