Photos: Decomposing body of a 9-year-old girl found in a drain more than a month after she went missing

Decomposing body of a 9-year-old young girl who went missing more than a month ago was found in a stormwater drain on the corner of Mathlare and Tsomo streets, Mamelodi, SA on February 12.


Zinhle Ndala was playing outside with other children when she disappeared on the afternoon of January 4. No one can explain what happened to her. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a lime t-shirt and brown shoes. Zinhle is a pupil at Zakhele Primary School and had passed with good grades and was ready to get into grade 2 this year.

The family was so upset about her disappearance they couldn't sleep at night. Her anxious mother wandered the streets at night, hoping she would find her daughter.

The family has reported Zinhle’s disappearance to Mamelodi East police who have confirmed the case was being investigated.

Forencic tests are underway to officially confirm her identity.

"These results take time and the police wish to do their work properly. We will not rush forensics,” said Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng on Monday, February 15.

Zinhle’s mother Thoko said she positively identified her child’s body at the mortuary from her clothes and hairstyle. Thoko said she was heartbroken but was consoled by the fact that the family would now get closure.

"Now we can have a proper funeral."

The date for the funeral is still to be set. Bystanders said a municipal cleaner saw a skull sticking out from under a black refuse bag near the entrance of Rethabile sports ground in Mamelodi East. He alerted the police.

Source: Pretoria East Rekord