The dismembered body of six-year-old Asanda Mkhize was found last week at uMhlanga Bronze Beach after a harrowing weeklong search by the community and the child’s devastated family.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala on 23 May, around 4.50pm, an unknown body of a child was found floating uMhlanga Bronze Beach and an inquest docket was opened at Durban North SAPS for investigation. She said: “Currently the matter is still under investigation and no arrests have been made as yet”.
The Grade 1 learner at Tshelihle Primary in Clermont was reported missing when he failed to return home from school on 17 May. According to the deceased’s grandmother Penelope Mkhize, the family were called to identify Asanda’s body at the Phoenix mortuary and that is when they discovered that the six-year-old from Clermont was missing some body parts, from the waist down.
The incident sent shockwaves throughout the community, especially as the country was observing Child Protection Week. Ward 92 Councillor Masoka Mazibuko, in Clermont said that everyone is really upset about what happened to Asanda.
He said: “One can only imagine the pain that his family is going through. As community member we need to start looking out for our kids.”
Mandla Sithole of the Clermont Constituency, who led the search for Mkhize, said that a community meeting was held with aims of tightening safety measures especially when learners are being escorted to and from school. He added that at the moment the Mkhize family is yet to confirm when the funeral will be held as they are still in the process of finalising the deceased’s death certificate.
“Its really difficult for the family in particular the mother of the child who is not well at all. Its something else to loose a child but to loose a child in this manner is devastating,” said Sithole.
Just recently, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala addressed the province at the Crime Prevention Summit where he stated that hope lies with communities who should unite behind efforts to prevent crime within the ambit of the law. “Criminals live in communities and when communities stand up and work side by side with the police we can say we have a chance of drastically reducing crime. We are here because we want an end to the abuse and murder of women and children,” added Premier Zikalala
