Siyavuya Mzantsi and Nicolette Dirk
FIVE days after she went missing, 5-year-old Anovuyo Ndamase’s mutilated body was found wrapped in a plastic bag a stone’s throw from her Khayelitsha house – a discovery that had residents baying for her killer’s blood.
At the same time a 2-year-old boy, abandoned in Philippi on Monday, has yet to be reunited with his family.
Residents of Enkanini informal settlement in Khayelitsha were fuming – some threatening to take the law into their own hands after Anovuyo’s body was found behind a shack yesterday morning. She was last seen at about 6pm on Sunday.
A 32-year-old man was arrested hours after the gruesome discovery, which had followed days of house-to-house searches by Enkanini residents. Anovuyo was found 25m from her home shortly before refuse was to be collected in the area.
Emotions ran high when Enkanini residents saw the child’s burn wounds.
“This is just too much. Why would a person do such a thing to a little girl,” said a family friend, Nodumo Khothuka. “Anovuyo was found by a resident who is a security (guard). He was coming from work when he saw a blue plastic bag in the middle of a walkway and he wanted to put in on the side of the road to be collected.
“He said he realised it was heavy and there was something unusual inside. After he found it was Anovuyo’s body, he called for help,” Khothuka said. She said Anovuyo’s distraught parents were taken for counselling. “Her dress and underwear had blood. What I saw is something that will be in my mind for a very long time.”
Relatives of Anovuyo arrived at the scene and wanted to see her, but police stopped them.
“Right now I don’t know what to say. We are devastated as you can see. We (are) still waiting for the police to assure us that it is my niece,” said her uncle, Themba Ntsabo.
The family had a meeting inside their home while neighbours gathered outside to offer support. “We are disturbed about what has happened. No parent should go through this. Whoever did this deserves to be punished,” said a family friend, Phumeza Gxowa.
Community leaders called for calm. Ward councillor Mpucuko Nguzo said: “I understand your anger… but let’s not jump to conclusions. Let’s not go to the scene while police are investigating.”
Harare police station head of visible policing Achmat Adams told residents: “I plead with you not to take the law into your hands because you’re going to be arrested. I’ve had sleepless nights because of this. I know you’re angry and I’m also angry. We urge parents to look after their children.”
Social Development MEC Albert Fritz, who offered his condolences, said: “There should be no place to hide for those who bring harm to children.”
Meanwhile, social workers appealed for information to help identify the 2-year-old boy placed in their care. He was found alone outside Shoprite in Philippi on Monday.
Because he was not reported missing, a social worker who took in the boy obtained the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court’s permission to have his picture made public. “It is concerning that police have not put him on the missing persons database yet,” said social worker Lumka Lirula. Police spokesman FC van Wyk said a child was put on the database only once reported missing.
Missing Children SA spokeswoman Nicky Rheeder said: “Some people who grew up in a culture where neighbours and relatives would watch over a young child find it difficult to believe life is not as safe now.”