UPDATE: Parents of Everite Chauke await DNA evidence
ALEXANDRA – Body of child thought to be of flood-swept Everite Chauke awaits verification.
A body, suspected to be that of three-year-old Everite Chauke who disappeared in the flash-flooded Jukskei River on 9 November, was found on the river bank in Buccleuch mid-morning on 22 November.
The circumstances of the girl’s tragic disappearance left Gauteng residents, Joburg City Council, provincial government and national leaders united in searching for her, with police divers and Emergency Management Services desperately searching the river towards Hartbeespoort Dam. She slipped out of her daddy’s arms when the branch of the tree they were escaping the floods on, broke.
Even President Jacob Zuma visited the family and others affected by the flood to offer condolences on behalf of the nation.
Read: Body of 3-year-old child found along Jukskei River
Ward 109 councillor, Werner Smit said the body, which is still to be identified by the parents and relatives, was found by a worker cleaning next to the river two weeks after the incident. “The partly decomposed body is still to be verified as that of Everite. This may be [done] through DNA testing,” Smit said.
He added that if it was her and as tragic as it is, it will bring the parents and relatives nearer to closure – especially for the father.
Councillor Adolph Marema, of Ward 116 where other residents also suffered in the flood, said City Council’s Emergency Management Services will accompany the family to the site today, and social workers and psychologists from the Department of Social Development would provide trauma and bereavement counselling to help the family cope with the tragedy.
Funeral arrangements will only be made after the body has been identified.
Read: Body of 3-year-old to be identified
On the morning of 23 November, police spokesperson, Kay Makhubela reported that the parents of the missing girl would go and identify the body.
Makhubela explained that DNA samples of Chauke’s parents had been sent to the laboratory for testing on Wednesday to help identify the body that was found.
“DNA swabs were taken from the Chaukes at the mortuary and we will wait for the forensic experts to tell us who the body belongs to,” he said.
Meanwhile, most of those affected by the floods are still camped in churches, halls and transit camps where they are receiving relief support while waiting for a solution to their shelter needs.
Details: Ward 109 councillor, Werner Smit 083 308 4160.
