Hope is fading for the family of eight-year-old Abieda Paulse who was swept away by stormwater in Athlone last Thursday.
Meanwhile her brave rescuer, who was also carried away by the fast-flowing Vygieskraal canal water, has been identified as Yusuf Kiriboto.
Abieda’s hartseer parents tell the Daily Voice they do not know Yusuf personally, but are grateful to him for trying to save their daughter.
Abieda and two of her friends were playing on the banks of the canal in Klipfontein Road, close to Calendula Road at about 1pm when the banks apparently burst as a result of heavy rainfall.
BRAVE: Yusuf Kiriboto tried saving Abieda
The children fell into the fast-flowing water and while Abieda’s friends managed to get out, the eight-year-old was not so lucky.
As she was carried away, Yusuf jumped into the canal to try and save her when he too got swept away.
Despite rescue teams searching for the past few days, and the search being expanded to as far as Maitland, the two have yet to be found.
Dad Michael Steenkamp told the Daily Voice on Sunday: “We are still looking for her, but we have not been receiving any update from the police.
“It has been a difficult four days not knowing where my child is and even if we find the body, we will not be able to bury her as we do not have the money.”
Mom Malieka says she did not know Yusuf personally, but saw him around the neighbourhood.
“I feel sorry for him because he tried to do the right thing and he also got swept away. We are running out of hope now because it has been days looking for them,” says the mom.
SCENE: Mom Malieka Paulse at the river in Klipfontein Road
The search was called off on Thursday night due to bad weather and only resumed on Saturday at 8am, police confirmed.
On Sunday, residents held a picket at the spot where Abieda fell into the canal, calling on police to “do more” to find the bodies.
The community also cleared rubble and reeds to help with the search.
CONCERN: Police divers suited up for the search
Resident Jerome Lewis says: “The weather cleared and today should have been the day they bring something tangible to us. We feel like if this was a white suburb, police would not be sleeping, but searching for the two bodies.”
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk says the search will continue today.
He confirmed the search has been expanded to the Black River, Berkeley Way in Maitland and Paarden Eiland.