Little girl’s body recovered in thick reeds alongside river
The search is continuing for the other two children
There has been some closure for one family after the body of 11-year-old, Melokuhle Steele, was found in thick reeds alongside the Steenkoolspruit.
The discovery was made this afternoon after over 120 volunteers from throughout the community banded together to search the banks of the Steenkoolspruit.
Two groups fanned out – one upstream towards Sibongile and the other down stream towards the Ngisane Road.
The discovery was made by Octavia Singh – whose husband, Preshu. had helped co-ordinate the search.
The litter and debris washed down by the river is indicate to how the environment is being damaged by human settlement
The body was naked except for her panties. Members of the Ladysmith Search and Rescue SAPS Dog Unit removed the body to a waiting mortuary van. The girl’s granny, Cecilia, was there.
Preshu said he was amazed at the response after the call for volunteers to come help search was announced through the Courier yesterday.
Members of the SAPS assisted. Those who volunteered to the search the muddy banks were from all walks – banker,s lawyers, mechanics, off-duty policeman, photographers and farm hands among others.
There were also school children who helped.
The search is continuing for the other two children, Kholeka Khumalo (5) and boy, Ayabonga Steele (8).
Their granny said it was during the vicious storm on Thursday evening when the roof of the family home, near Lindelani, blew off. With the hail pouring in, the children panicked and ran outside. They slipped into a stormwater drain – their mother managed to pull an older child to safety but the younger ones were swept away.
One of the volunteers searching the river
It was also said that the body of Dr Ncube and that of a woman were recovered from a river on Overdale farm on the Ngisane Road this morning. Dr Ncube’s car was washed away when he attempted to drive through the low level bridge on the flooded Ngisane Road on Thursday evening.
Preshu Singh who helped co-ordinate the search
