Forensic tests ordered after bones, bloody items found during Anovuyo Oncke prayer event clean-up

Police have opened an inquest and ordered forensic tests after bones and blood-stained items were discovered while residents were cleaning up following a mass prayer event for missing eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke.

What happened

According to IOL, the discovery took place on Monday, September 7, 2026, at around 6.15pm, when Grassy Park police responded to a complaint from the Riemvasmaak informal settlement, Phumlani Village. Community members were reportedly cleaning after a mass prayer session when they found bones and a blood-stained dress under a container.

Items found and early steps

According to IOL, a blood-stained dress and a bloody padlock were also found at the scene. IOL reports that community worker Beryl Williams, who was on site, said the smell was horrible and that police had been called to investigate. Williams told IOL that Anovuyo’s mother is here and confirmed the dress is not that of her daughter.

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed to IOL that police opened an inquest docket and that a forensic examination will be conducted. Gwala said that at this stage police cannot confirm that the bones are human or that they belong to the missing child. IOL reports that buccal swabs have been taken from Anovuyo’s family by police.

Community reaction and background

According to IOL, residents held a mass prayer session in Riemvasmaak on the day they had been praying for Anovuyo’s safe return. IOL reports that the community was fed with donations from Pick ‘n Pay in Constantia towards the day’s event.

According to IOL, residents previously told the publication they suspect a man who lived at the container-focused shack could have answers about Anovuyo’s disappearance after he was caught holding a 16-year-old girl against her will. IOL reports that the teenager had been assaulted and raped, that the suspect fled and arrests had not been made, and that residents have been appealing for the SAPS and FCS Unit to send out the K9 Unit since July 4, after that rape.

Community leader Sidwell Kweba has urged the City of Cape Town to remove the container from the area, but police told IOL that forensic investigators needed to attend to it first before it could be moved.

Next steps

Forensic investigators will examine the bones and items found, and the inquest docket will guide the police investigation. At present, police have not confirmed any identification linking the discoveries to Anovuyo Oncke.