Girl’s body found in shallow grave

It took the Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum less than 10 minutes to find the body of a missing six-year-old in a shallow grave a few metres away from her family home.

Stacy Adams‚ a bubbly child who liked jokes and dancing‚ went missing on Saturday in the Eastridge area of Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town.

A neighbour is a suspect in her murder.

Forum chairwoman Lucinda Evans said when the call came through on Sunday to search for the missing girl “I met the rest of the CPF and, together with the blockwatches and neighbourhood watches, we started the search”.

The group of 50 volunteers started searching from an enclosed circle in which the family’s home is situated.

Within five minutes, one of the members came across the girl’s clothing in a bin‚ next to a Wendy house.

“Two of the members looked in the bin and discovered the clothing,” Evans said.

“A member then stepped to the side of the bin‚ and noticed the sand was loose.

“They started digging and found the body there.

“[Stacy’s] family was standing in the doorway of their home and could see where we were digging. It was not far‚ less than 100 metres.”

The discovery of Stacy’s body left the search volunteer group mute with shock.

“When we go out on searches‚ we always have hope,” Evans said.

“Our volunteers had this immense sadness. What followed was not anticipated‚ the violence that took place.”

An angry group had gathered near where the body was found and threw stones and petrol bombs at the suspect’s home.

Police intervened to stabilise the situation.

A police spokesman said the suspect would appear in court today.