Bones, a blood-stained dress, and a bloody padlock were discovered under a container at the Riemvasmaak informal settlement in Phumlani Village on Monday, 7 September 2026, at approximately 6:15pm — one year after eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke vanished from the same area. Community members found the items while cleaning up after a mass prayer event held earlier that day to mark the anniversary of her disappearance.
According to IOL and the Cape Argus, which first reported the discovery, Grassy Park police responded to the scene and opened an inquest docket. Western Cape police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that forensic examination will be conducted to determine whether the bones are human and whether they are connected to Anovuyo.
This office confirms that on Monday 7 September 2026 at around 6.15pm, Grassy Park police responded to a complaint at Riemvaasmaak informal settlement, Phumlani Village, where community members were reportedly cleaning and they found bones and a blood stained dress under a container. Police opened an inquest docket for investigation. At this stage, we cannot confirm that it is human remains or that the bones are of the missing child. A forensic examination will be conducted.
Anovuyo, a Grade 1 learner at Perivale Primary School, was last seen on the morning of 6 September 2025 when she left her home at approximately 7am to play with friends in Riemvasmaak. Her mother, Samantha Oncke, has not seen her since. The Wynberg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit offered a R50,000 cash reward for information leading to Anovuyo’s safe return, announced on 3 September 2026.
Community worker Beryl Williams, who was at the scene on Monday evening, described the conditions and the family’s response. Anovuyo’s mother was present and confirmed the blood-stained dress does not belong to her daughter.
The smell here is horrible. We have called the police out, and now we have to wait for them to come and do their investigation. Anovuyo’s mother is here and confirmed the dress is not that of her daughter. I have spoken to the community and told them not to speculate. We have to wait on the results from forensics.
Police have taken buccal swabs from Anovuyo’s family for DNA comparison. Community leader Sidwell Kweba urged the City of Cape Town to remove the container, but police confirmed forensic investigators must process it first. The discovery was first raised publicly in a post by Just Advocacy on Monday night.
Residents have previously expressed frustration with the pace of the investigation. In July 2026, community members identified a potential suspect after the rape of a 16-year-old girl in the area, and called for the SAPS K9 Unit to search beneath concrete flooring at a nearby shack. No arrests have been made in that separate case, and the suspect reportedly fled after being caught holding a teenager against her will.
Samantha is extremely sad. She needs therapy. She doesn’t speak. She has just gone quiet. I am trying my best to motivate her that she will get her child. We won’t stop searching.
It remains unconfirmed whether the bones are human remains or connected to Anovuyo Oncke’s disappearance. The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Julian Zeederberg, can be contacted on 082 334 8348 or 021 799 1315 with any information. Cape Flats News will provide an update once forensic results are released.