Body Of Missing 7-Year-Old Found In Cato Manor River

The body of seven-year-old Sqalo Phumelela Ntlooa was recovered from a river in Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday afternoon, following an intense search by the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and local authorities.

Sqalo Phumelela Ntlooa, a Grade 2 student at Nsimbini Primary School, went missing on Sunday evening while hunting in the Cato Manor Forest with three friends and several dogs.

The group returned home without him, sparking immediate concern.

A search was launched early Monday morning by the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), with the RUSA helicopter conducting a 3.5-hour aerial search.

At approximately 14:05, the boy’s body was discovered in a river after his clothes were found along the riverbank.

The RUSA crew identified a possible area of drowning in a plunge pool, where the body was located shortly thereafter.

 It was retrieved by a community member and handed over to the authorities.

Members of the Cato Manor SAPS (South African Police Service) are on the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

While no foul play is suspected, an investigation into the details of how Sqalo ended up in the river is ongoing.

Authorities are working to provide answers for the grieving family and community members.

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