On the day residents prayed for the safe return of eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke, no one could have predicted what would unfold hours later.

Anovuyo disappeared on Saturday 6 September last year after leaving home at about 07:00 She was last seen wearing black pants and a pink pyjama top.

The Grade 1 learner at Perivale Primary School had left to play with friends in Riemvasmaak, an informal settlement in Phumlani Village, Lotus River. She never returned.

A father’s account

Her father, Luvuyo Mantile (43), said the family only realised she was missing when it grew dark. He admitted the parents had been drinking that day.

“She normally goes to her aunt’s house without us knowing and sleeps there,” Mantile said. “It was getting dark when we realised she wasn’t there. We were drunk that day. I don’t want to lie.”

The next morning, the family searched her aunt’s house. Mantile then gave her mother money to go to Grassy Park Police Station to report Anovuyo missing.

The stress has haunted the family every day since. “In my room there are pictures of her, even when I lay on my bed,” Mantile said.

He described the past year as hard. Furthermore, he said Anovuyo had many friends, was well known and loved playing.

Prayer and a grim discovery

Nearly a year after she vanished, residents held a mass prayer on Monday 7 September in Riemvasmaak for her safe return. However, about four hours later, Mantile was called to a scene four houses from the family home, where bones had been found.

Mantile said the bones were found.

According to Mantile, the man was caught holding a 16-year-old girl against her will. The teenager had been assaulted and raped.The suspect fled, and no arrests have been made.

When Mantile arrived at the scene, he said a blood-stained dress and a bloody padlock had also been found. “That wasn’t my daughter’s dress,” he said.

Police confirm discovery

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed bones had been found.

“This office confirms that on Monday September 7, at around 18:15, Grassy Park police responded to a complaint at Riemvasmaak informal settlement, Phumlani Village, where community members were reportedly cleaning, and they found bones and a blood-stained dress under a container,” Gwala said. Police could not confirm whether the remains belonged to Anovuyo.

“Police opened an inquest docket for investigation. At this stage, we cannot confirm that it is human remains or that the bones are of the missing child. A forensic examination will be conducted,” Gwala said.

Mantile said the bones were with forensics for testing. He added that the community had been very supportive and he was waiting for the results.

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