Mortal remains suspected to be that of murdered teenager Andile Mcunu (pictured) was recovered by Police dumped in the Wewe River in Sandfields – Tongaat today (Friday).
Andile was reported missing by his family nearly two weeks ago after he was kidnapped by a group of men who accused him of stealing alcohol from a tavern in Hambanathi, Tongaat. The men led the teenager back to the tavern where he was severely assaulted.
His family received information about the assault and proceeded to the tavern where they found the boy lying next to a pool of blood. They were asked by the suspects to get a fresh set of clothing and a vehicle to transport him to hospital. The family left and when they returned they were informed that Andile had escaped. He could not be located since.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) this week received a video showing a severely injured boy lying in an empty room. A baseball bat, whips and sticks were seen on the floor. The producer of the video could be seen taunting the teenager in the video.
RUSA tracked Andile’s family through a missing person poster. They confirmed that it was Andile in the video and believed that he had succumbed to his injuries and in an attempt to cover up the murder his attackers dumped his body.
Police and residents of Hambanathi formalized a search team. Bushes and river banks were searched for several days without success. Today human remains were discovered along Wewe River. The remains were sent for analysis and it is yet to be confirmed if it is Andile. Family and members of the community gathered at the scene and wept uncontrollably while Police Search and Rescue retrieved the body.
Six men believed to be linked to the murder have been taken in for questioning by Police. Angry residents mobilsed and threatened to burn down the tavern where the murder took place.
Investigations into the murder are ongoing.