At a payer service held for mothers who spent Mother’s Day without their children, the mom of missing five-year-old Saskia Michaels said all she wants is her child’s body.
The vigil was organised by Pastor Maureen Adams, of “Women with Purpose” and held in Matroosberg Singel in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain where murdered 11-year-old Stacha Arends lived.
Also present yesterday was Stacha’s mother Sandy Markgraf, who shed tears when the children of the community danced to the hymn "I Know Who I Am".
This Sandy requested in memory of Stacha, who sang the hymn on the last Sunday before her death, while doing the dishes and helping her mother in the kitchen.
Stacha went missing on 27 March while watching movies at a friend’s home in Matroosberg Singel.
A day later, her battered body was found on a field in Swartklip Road, Tafelsig.
Her neighbour Randy Tango, 31, who confessed to raping and killing her, is appearing at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court.
He is expected back in court on 7 June for bail application.
Anthea, the mother of Saskia, believes finding the body of her child will give her closure. Saskia disappeared outside her home in Freedom Park, Tafelsig, in September 2015 and has never been seen since.
Anthea's mother Roseline Faro was also present and wept, clutching a photograph of her five-year-old grand-daughter.
“I can’t explain how I feel, if I can just get her body, anything,” she says.
Mary Claasen, whose son Devan Claasen was murdered In Hanover Park at age 24 in 2013, said her pain has eased somewhat after losing a child.
Devon was shot 13 times and his killer was sentenced two years ago to life in prison.
“With God in my boat, I can face any storm,” she says.
“After four years, the pain is still there, it doesn’t go away, it gets better with God on your side.”