DNA confirms toddler found near Jukskei is girl who went missing in floods

The body of a toddler found in Buccleuch a week ago is that of Everlate Chauke‚ Johannesburg police have confirmed.

Three-year-old Everlate was swept away during flash floods in Johannesburg last month.

Her body was found in a state of decomposition and the police had to obtain DNA samples to verify her identity.

“The results show that the body of the child who belongs to the Chauke family‚" police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela told TMG Digital on Friday.

“The results have been taken to the government mortuary and her body will released to the family to prepare for a burial.”

Little Everlate was ripped from her father Shadrick Chauke's arms and swept away by raging waters of a swollen Jukskei River as he tried to get them to safety.

He told TMG Digital on November 10 how flood water had engulfed his shack near the Jukskei in Alexandra‚ in northern Johannesburg‚ the evening before.

With his daughter gently but firmly clasped to his left side‚ he tried to escape the floodwaters by climbing a tree.

But the branch he was holding on to snapped.

Little Everite slipped from his grasp and was swept away by the torrent.

“She disappeared and I screamed to my wife and neighbours to try and save her‚ but the water was very strong and flowing very fast‚” said Chauke.

“It was raining hard and it was almost dark and neighbours were also trying to save their possessions and their lives. Nobody paid attention to what was happening to my daughter‚” he said.