UPDATE | Missing Klawer 11-year-old found 'safe and unharmed'

The search for 11-year-old Anelisa Lathitha Sigwebedlana of Klawer in the Western Cape has ended after he was found “safe and unharmed”.

Western Cape police confirmed earlier on Wednesday that a case of a missing person had been opened and that a joint operations centre had been established “to monitor the situation”.

Police spokesperson Capt Frederick van Wyk said Anelisa was reported missing on Wednesday by his mother, Zanele Sigwebedlana. He had last been seen by his aunt at home in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement at about 4pm on Tuesday, February 15.

“He was dressed in a yellow long-sleeved T-shirt and grey shorts,” said Van Wyk.

But the search for the boy ended after he was found “safe and unharmed”.

In a statement issued at around 8.20pm on Wednesday, Van Wyk confirmed that Anelisa was safe and had been “reunited with his family”.

“We want to thank everyone involved who helped looking for him,” he said.

Earlier, Van Wyk said the joint operation to search for the missing boy included the local community policing forum (CPF), community members, the police's K9 dog unit, mayor David Jennera and councillors.

The latest incident came as the Klawer community was still reeling from the brutal murder of a 13-year-old, Jerobejin van Wyk, who was killed an apparent “satanistic ritual”. Body parts, which were found in the sewage pipes at the home of Danie Smit, 56, had been confirmed to be that of Jerobejin.

Smit, who remains behind bars, has been charged with murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. The boy’s body parts were retrieved from Smit’s sewer last Friday after children earlier spotted him “cleaning it”.

The boy went missing on February 2.

It is alleged that Smit chased some boys with his bakkie after they picked up fruit on  his property. He allegedly struck the teenage boy with the vehicle before taking him away. He was arrested the next day.

Community leader Billy Classen, who is the executive director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, said DNA results had confirmed the body parts were Jerobejin van Wyk's.

“His mother has officially been informed of the DNA results today, and discussions about funeral arrangements will start soon,” he said.

Classen said the latest case had taken the community aback. “It has left everyone shocked and even more traumatised.”

Classen said community members had joined the police search.

Community activist Damaris Kiewiets said the latest incident had shocked the small town, which had not even begun to heal from Jerobejin's senseless murder. “All those emotions are presenting themselves once more and it is disturbing. People are anxious again. Child safety programmes are clearly needed for this community.”

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