Octavia Swarts Murder: 14-Year-Old Relative Rearrested After Girl Found Dead Near Dam

The murder of 10-year-old Octavia Swarts has left a Joostenberg Vlakte community mourning after the Grade 4 learner was found dead near a dam less than a day after she disappeared.

Octavia reportedly went for a run with her teenage cousin on Sunday, 13 September, but did not return home with him. Her family launched a search that continued late into the night before her body was discovered the following morning.

A 14-year-old relative was arrested after the discovery, although prosecutors initially returned the docket to police for further investigation. The teenager was subsequently released into his parents’ care before being rearrested days later.

Octavia Swarts Disappeared After Sunday Afternoon Run

Octavia Swarts disappeared on Sunday afternoon after reportedly leaving home to go running with her teenage cousin in the Joostenberg Vlakte area.

According to the family, the teenager returned without Octavia and allegedly indicated that she had also made her way home. Relatives later realised she was missing and began checking locations where the child was known to spend time.

By around 23:00, the family had searched several nearby areas and enlisted other residents to help find the Grade 4 learner. Their search ended in tragedy the next morning when Octavia's body was found near a dam on Monday, 14 September.

Family members reportedly described finding visible injuries, blood and marks at the scene. They also alleged that marks on the ground suggested the child's body may have been moved, but police have not publicly confirmed those details.

14-Year-Old Arrested, Released And Then Rearrested

Police arrested the 14-year-old on Monday after Octavia's body was discovered. He was expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates' Court the following day, but prosecutors did not enrol the matter at that stage.

The docket was instead referred back to investigators for further work, with Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg saying the decision to release the teenager was made “in the interest of justice”. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila also confirmed that prosecutors had returned the docket to police for further investigation.

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The teenager was released into the care of his parents but was rearrested on Thursday, 17 September. He appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates' Court the following day, where the matter was postponed while investigators continued with the case.

Family Mourns Girl Who Dreamed Of Becoming A Teacher

Octavia's death has been particularly painful for relatives who said she and the teenager accused in the case had been close and regularly spent time together.

The family is now trying to piece together what happened between the time Octavia left home and when she was found near the dam. Her relative Davids described the child as loving and said she had grown up surrounded by members of the Joostenberg Vlakte community.

“She grew up here, she was everyone’s child,” she said.

Octavia was a Grade 4 learner at Joostenberg Primary School and was remembered by her family as a dedicated pupil who regularly received certificates and awards for her achievements. Her loved ones said she had dreamed of becoming a teacher.

Her death has left her family, classmates and teachers devastated, with loved ones gathering to remember the young learner ahead of her funeral, which is expected to take place on Wednesday, 23 September.