Missing 11-year-old Athi found dead weeks after disappearance

Community members have found the decomposed body of missing 11-year-old Athi Zimi Mnguni in a river in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, ending a 25-day search for the child.

Athi disappeared on 30 August while playing with two other children at a sports field near Nomcamba Locality in the Zinduneni Administrative Area.

Members of the community who were hunting in a nearby forest found her body on Thursday, 24 September.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said Athi’s family and community members identified her.

“The body was identified by her family as well as community members and was still wearing the same clothes she wore on the day of disappearance,” Mawisa said.

Athi disappeared while playing

Athi was playing at the sports field with two children, aged six and nine, when she disappeared at about 16:00.

Police launched a multidisciplinary search after the family reported Athi missing at Ngqeleni SAPS.

Officers from the Mthatha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Ngqeleni SAPS and K9 Unit joined the search.

The Mounted Unit later assisted, while community members conducted door-to-door searches in surrounding areas.

Despite the extensive operation, search teams found no trace of Athi.

The search ended on Thursday when community members hunting in the forest discovered Athi’s body in the river at Nomcamba Locality.

Police have not yet revealed how Athi died or how she ended up in the river.

SAPS has also not said whether investigators suspect foul play or announced any arrests.

Kraaifontein girl also found dead

Athi’s death comes days after the body of another young girl was found near a dam in the Western Cape.

Octavia Swarts, 10, a Grade 4 learner from Joostenberg Vlakte outside Kraaifontein, disappeared on Sunday, 13 September.

Her family searched for her before her body was found near a farm dam the following morning.

Police initially opened an inquest but later launched a murder investigation.

A 14-year-old relative was subsequently arrested in connection with Octavia’s death. Authorities have withheld the child’s identity because he is a minor.