*Please note the spelling of the victim's name and details of her whereabouts at the time of her disappearance differs from the original missing persons report, which was incorrect. This article has been updated.
A second young girl has been found murdered on the Cape Flats in as many weeks.
The naked body of an 11-year-old meisie who was missing for more than 12 hours has been found dumped on a field in Mitchells Plain a few streets away from her home.
Just after 2am yesterday, the body of Stacha Arends was discovered by a neighbour who was part of the search team in a bush behind Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre in Tafelsig.
Last week, the body of Rene-Tracy Roman, 13, who disappeared on March 10, was found hidden in a neighbour’s Wendy house in St Agatha Crescent, Lavender Hill.
Andrew Plaatjies, 50, was arrested for her murder.
Stacha’s mother, Sandy Markgraf, who had to be rushed to hospital for shock after the discovery, and family members, refused to speak to the media yesterday, as they were too distraught.
Sandy’s husband, who asked not to be identified, told the Daily Voice: “We have decided as a unit, we will not be speaking to the media. Sandy is asleep now and we thank you for your concern.”
Stacha’s father, Stanley Godfrey, 32, and grandmother Dawn, 52, says the child had been watching movies at a friend’s home on Monday afternoon and went missing after 12pm.
The friend told cops she went to the toilet, and when she came back, Stacha was gone.
At 6pm, the Tafelsig community launched a frantic search for the girl and she was reported missing at the police station.
Stacha, a Grade 7 learner at Tafelsig Primary School, did not attend school on Monday as her mother was busy with enrolment for high school next year.
Dawn says Sandy came knocking at their door on Monday night, asking if they had seen Stacha. Stanley and Sandy, a mom of two, separated seven years ago.
“The friend said she used the toilet and when she came back, Stacha was gone,” says Dawn.
The family’s worst nightmare came true when Stacha’s body was found.
A neighbour in Matroosberg Street made the gruesome discovery.
“The search teams were scattered and he was the only one who saw her lying there,” says a young relative, who was at the scene.
“She was naked and there were a few blankets near her body. The police took that with them.”
HORRID: The body of Stacha, 11, was found in a bush in Tafelsig on Tuesday morning. CREDIT: Leon Knipe
Stacha was last seen dressed in a striped dress with slits on the side and beach sloffies.
Stanley, who also has a three-year-old son, says: “I am broken. She would often visit me over the weekend and was a responsible child who would never go with strangers.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed that a 31-year-old man was taken in for questioning.
"A 31-year-old man has been taken in for question(ing) in connection with the murder of a 11-year-old girl, our investigation is ongoing. Once charged, the suspect will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ court," says Rwexana.
Anyone with more information can contact Constable Ashley Donough on 082 777 8016 or Crime Stop on 08600 10 111.