MEC calls for calm after child's decomposing body found in Phoenix

KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety MEC Mxolisi Kaunda has called for calm in Phoenix after the discovery of a body thought to be that of missing Sydenham schoolboy Miguel Louw on Monday.

The body was found a stone’s throw from the home of butcher Mohammed Ebrahim‚ who was linked to the boy’s disappearance on July 17. Ebrahim’s family earlier told TimesLIVE that they were living in fear. “We fully understand the pain this incident has caused to the family and members of the community. As the provincial government‚ we would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time‚” Kaunda said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Government has declared zero tolerance on violence against women and children and ... has full confidence in the police that they will be able to solve this case. Therefore let us allow the law to take its course‚” Kaunda added.

Police are expected to use DNA testing to conclusively identify the remains of the boy‚ who was found wearing a school tracksuit jacket.

Ebrahim‚ of Longbury Drive in Phoenix‚ was arrested three days after Miguel was last seen. When he was detained‚ he was found in possession of Miguel’s original birth certificate and Miguel’s mother’s identity document.

CCTV footage showed Miguel at a KFC with Ebrahim‚ an acquaintance of the family for about two weeks‚ on the day of his disappearance.