Update: Search for missing child called off

The search for a five-year-old child who is believed to have drowned in the Ekuvukeni area was called off yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

The child went missing on Thursday, October 16, while on her way home after school. It is alleged that the girl was crossing a stream when she was tragically swept away in a flash flood. Police officers, together with search and rescue dogs from the Ladysmith Dog (K9) Unit, began searching for the little girl the following day.

The search continued on Monday, October 20, and the local officers were joined by the Empangeni K9 Unit, Port Shepstone K9 Unit and Pietermaritzburg K9 Unit on Wednesday, October 22. The search was called off on Thursday afternoon, October 23; still no sign of the child’s body. With the additional manpower, local K9 officers and dogs combed an area consisting of mountainous terrain.

An appeal is now made to the community to please contact the SAPS on 034-261-3200 if anybody has any more information.