Grief and joy for local families
In the broader context of so many missing and abused women and children in South Africa dominating the news, Knysna also experienced both joy and tragedy in two local incidents over the past week which underpins the countrywide crisis.
While the grim discovery of a body last week might have accompanied a sense of closure for a Plettenberg Bay family whose teenage girl disappeared in April this year, a Knysna family had reason for joy when their missing girl was found this week.
Although details were still unclear at the time of going to press, police have confirmed that the remains of Sandiswa Mona (18) were found in a forested area in Ladywood about a week ago.
Plettenberg Bay police spokesperson Captain Marlene Pieterse said the girl went missing between 06:00 on 8 April and 14:00 on 13 April.
According to Pieterse, Mona's grandfather had sent her to an ATM to withdraw money. “She came back home and her grandfather then went to their neighbours. When he returned home, the girl was gone,” Pieterse said, adding that she had left her cellphone at home.
Her family have organised a two-day prayer meeting which started on Wednesday and was set to continue today (Thursday) at 25 Cuba Street in Kwanokuthula. Prayers were scheduled for between 18:00 and 18:30, and her funeral is due to take place in Joubertina in the Eastern Cape on 14 September.
Meanwhile, the search for the Knysna girl Ambrosia Leen (16) who was reported missing on 30 August was called off after she was found.
The girl returned home on Monday 2 September, on the same day that the case had (earlier in the day) been transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit (FCS) based in George.
Knysna police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said all incidents involving juveniles are normally investigated by the FCS unit.
Spies thanked all the role players who assisted in the search for her.