Duduza – A wave of shock and grief has swept through the Duduza community following the tragic discovery of the bodies of two young children from Zamani, found this morning (Friday) in a pond near a construction site in John Dube, near the Mega City Flats.
The children have been identified as Molefe Kgasi (11) and Samukelo France (10).
According to Kasi Anti-Crime Unit spokesperson Nhlanhla Bayeni, the parents of the children contacted them yesterday to inform them of the children’s disappearance.
“We gathered as the community of Duduza and began to search for the children with no luck.
Molefe Kgasi (11). Photo cred: Nomsa Ngubeni
“We shared their photos on social media to raise awareness and ask for help from nearby communities.
“A community member called us this morning to inform us that he had discovered children’s clothes near the water. We then posted the video on social media to alert the community and parents,” said Bayeni.
Bayeni confirmed that the matter was reported to the police on the day of the children’s disappearance. The unit worked in conjunction with the SAPS rescue team and DEMS this morning.
Both families also confirmed they reported the matter to the Duduza SAPS as soon as they realised their children were missing.
Tshepo Kgasi, the father of Molefe, said he realised something was wrong yesterday at around 18:00.
Samukelo France (10). Photo cred: Nomsa Ngubeni
“I got home yesterday around 17:00. My son usually goes to his grandmother’s house after school, and we confirmed that he had, in fact, gone there as usual.
“He changed into his soccer gear and left shortly after. When we noticed how late it was and knowing that soccer practice ends much earlier, we started to worry.
“His mother and I split up and searched everywhere, but we could not find him,” said Tshepo.
Tshepo said that he recognised his son’s clothing through a video making the rounds on social media.
He spoke with deep emotion, saying the incident has shattered him as he never imagined his son would travel such a long distance, only to meet such a tragic end.
Samukelo’s aunt Ntombi Thusi described the incident as a horrific roller coaster.
“Every day after school, he usually comes to my house. Unfortunately, I wasn’t home when he arrived yesterday.
“My mother called me around 19:00 to ask about him. I affirmed that he was not with me,” she said.
She explained that it had already been established that he had disappeared with another child.
“I rushed over to my mother’s house and upon arrival, I found community members gathered at the corner and began to worry.
“They were with another child after school so we decided to go and ask that child if he knew about their whereabouts.
“He confirmed that they mentioned that they were going to swim at a water pond.
“Before heading to work, Samukelo’s uncle decided to stop by the scene to see if there were any signs of the children.
The boys are believed to have drowned.Photo cred: Nomsa Ngubeni
“That is when he made the heartbreaking discovery of their clothes near the water,” said Ntombi.
She described her nephew as a quiet, shy and obedient child. She cited with emotion that they are terrified as a family to have had to experience this traumatic event.
The scene was heavy with emotion as stunned and grieving community members came together in shared sorrow.
DEMS media liason officer William Ntladi confirmed that they responded to a call at 08:00 of a possible drowning.
“We searched where it was believed the boys were. We managed to retrieve two bodies,” he said.
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