The community is in a state of shock and disbelief after eight-year-old Samkelo Siyamthanda Khumalo’s body was found on Saturday afternoon in a stream that winds through a field in the Sasko area.
She went missing on Tuesday last week. It is believed that Samkelo was on her way home from Bhekuzulu Primary School, using her regular route, when she disappeared. It is said that the girl walked the footpath daily, to and from school. The path is used by pedestrians and connects Bhekuzulu with Sasko, as well as the dumping site where Samkelo lived.

Warrant Officer Nkosi and his dog Achil from the Vryheid K9 Search & Rescue Unit stopped in the area on Saturday after attending to another missing person’s case in Ulundi. Sniffer dog Achil picked up the scent and found Samkelo’s body in an area close to the footpath she used daily. The exact area where her body was recovered has long, dense grass and is almost ‘swamp-like’, which could’ve made it difficult for passersby to spot her body. The postmortem will determine the exact cause of death.
The newly-appointed Vryheid SAPS commander, Colonel Mazibuko, was also at the scene and expressed his gratitude towards the community in assisting the police during the search for the young girl. He also extends his condolences to her family.

After the Vryheid Herald attended the scene and posted on their Facebook page about the child’s death, the community reacted by complaining about the area. They say Sasko is crime-ridden and blame Samkelo’s death on the area, saying that government should act and that Sasko should be demolished.
Sasko, as well as the dumping site, are in Councillor Elaine Rodway’s ward. Cllr Rodway responded that, “The people of Sasko are just as tired of crime as the rest of us. They are also targeted by the criminals. Yes, there are some bad people in our community and they are not welcome, but there are also good people in Sasko. We can’t blame the whole of Sasko for the sins of one evil criminal. My condolences go out to Samkelo’s family in this devastating time. We share in your pain. An attack on one of our children is an attack on our whole community. Our hearts are broken. Rest in peace, little one.”
The Vryheid Herald also extends its sincere condolences to Samkelo’s family and friends.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.