Three-year-old Aqhama Mnconywa went missing 10 days ago and her body has not been found. She was travelling on the N4 towards Gauteng, returning home from a funeral in Marite, when tragedy struck on April 13. The bakkie that they were travelling had a tyre burst the bakkie struck the kerb, its canopy dislodged which has not been found, sending all seven occupants who had been seated at the back flying into the river and surrounding bushes.
The family blames the provincial government for dragging their feet in the search. Aqhama was washed away in the Crocodile River after an accident on April 13.
According to a family member, Velly Maphanga, they were promised a chopper to assist them on Saturday, April 19. It did not show up and no one communicated with the family.
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“We were also promised divers to assist in the search, but that also did not happen. We wake up every day and go to the scene, hoping the chopper and divers would come. The police and government have failed us. It looks as if they had given up,” Maphanga said.
The fact that Aqhama’s body has not been found, is delaying the burial of three others. They are still at the government mortuary.
“We cannot proceed with her mother’s funeral while she is still missing. We are pleading with the authorities to please assist us. We need to find peace and closure. We cannot do that without giving her a dignified burial.”
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, had acknowledged Lowvelder’s enquiry. Despite promising to revert back soon he is yet to reply at the time of publishing.
