Siyanda Ndlovu, a 16-year-old from Mthwalume in the south of KwaZulu Natal, was swept away by the ocean at Hibberdene Beach on 21 June. Four days later, his body parts, a leg and a hand, were found by police divers. His family initially felt relieved, hoping to have something to bury, but their hopes were dashed when another family claimed the body parts.

CLAIM DISPUTE

Siyanda’s grandmother, Makhosi Ndlovu, expressed shock at the unknown family claiming the body parts believed to be his. The family asserting ownership of the leg and hand reportedly had a member swept away in January. "It is impossible for a body swept away in January to be found now. We are certain that these body parts belong to Siyanda. We urge the police to allow us to bury at least these remains for closure," Ndlovu stated. "While we have come to terms with the loss of other body parts, we insist on burying the leg and hand. Despite our attempts to arrange a DNA test with the other family, they have refused to cooperate. We are at a standstill and Siyanda’s mother is struggling to cope with the situation. We implore the police to release Siyanda’s leg and hand to us for burial," she added.

SEEKING CLOSURE

Ndlovu said that the family wants closure so that they can move on with their lives. "We were ready to lay him to rest last month, but the funeral was postponed due to the other family’s claim. Without DNA tests, we are left in the dark," she explained. SAPS Spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened by Hibberdene police, following the incident involving Siyanda’s drowning. He could not confirm if the two families had their DNA taken for tests.