Against all odds, the family of an 11-year-old Grahamstown girl who went missing in the waves at Kenton-On-Sea on Friday 7 November have not given up hope that she may be alive.
Against all odds, the family of an 11-year-old Grahamstown girl who went missing in the waves at Kenton-On-Sea on Friday 7 November have not given up hope that she may be alive.
The Archie Mbolekwa Primary School pupil went missing in the surf five days ago during a school outing at Kenton Main Beach last Friday, but the family believes she could still return alive.
When Grocott's Mail arrived at the little girl's home in Vukani on Tuesday afternoon, relatives had gathered at the house. More people arrived as time went by.
A person close to the family told Grocott's Mail they remained hopeful that the young girl could still be found alive. The woman, who was at the missing child's home, together with her parents, refused to be interviewed. She said they would consider speaking only when she is found.
A search by police divers for the body of the little girl followed a massive rescue operation involving the NSRI, police, traffic police, nature conservation staff and emergency medical teams on Friday.
The search continues.
The child was among a group of around 60 pupils from Archie Mbolekwa Primary School. She went missing in the surf near the Kariega river mouth after trying to rescue a fellow pupil who had got into difficulty.
Sea Rescue Communications Officer Craig Lambinon said in a media statement on Friday afternoon that NSRI Port Alfred duty crew, EC Government Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the SA Police Services, Traffic Services and Nature Conservation officers had responded to a call at 12.03pm that Friday.
In the initial statement Lambinon mistakenly referred to the missing pupil as a boy, but the police and the pupil's family have confirmed she is a girl.
Port Alfred police spokesperson Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said the little girl's body had not been found by noon on Wednesday 12 November.
More in Friday's edition of Grocott's Mail.
