“What a sad morning Thixo. These floods in eGoli have taken my beautiful niece. God why?”
These were the words spoken by Ms Caroline Sithole’s aunt, after her body was found on an embankment on Saturday.
The 34-year-old went missing on November 9, following the heavy rains and flash floods.
She was pregnant at the time of her death.
Her car was found on Friday, November 11, in the Eastleigh Spruit on Sixth Avenue in Edenvale.
Ms Sithole’s body was discovered further down the spruit, along Dickie Fritz Avenue, after informal recyclers looking for plastic noticed it.
Emotions ran high as her body was retrieved by police divers.
Missing woman’s car found in Eastleigh Spruit
Chairperson for the Edenvale Community Policing Forum (ECPF), Mrs Linda McKenzie, broke down.
“What a painful way to die. I wish all her family peace during this time. Our thoughts go out to them and her friends. I hope they can find closure following this traumatic time,” said Mrs McKenzie.
Family members and friends also took to social media to express their shock after the news of her death broke.
“It starts hitting home when someone you know is affected. May her beautiful soul rest in peace,” said one friend.
Another posted, “May she find peace in the arms of the Lord. God be with her family.”
Mrs McKenzie thanked community members who contributed in the search as well as the rescue of other affected motorists.
“Also, a massive thank you to Colonel Robbie Roberts of the Edenvale SAPS for taking the lead in making sure residents are safe. We thank him and his team,” said Mrs McKenzie.
Ms Sithole’s family identified her body on Monday.
At the time of going to press, preparations for her burial were underway.