A Phillippi family are desperately searching for the ashes of their stillborn child. The ashes, which were in a small box engraved with the name Daniella Arufasi, was taken from the child’s parents during a robbery on New Eisleben Road, in Crossroads, on Wednesday November 15.
Admire Kodzmaoko and his wife were returning from AVBOB with the ashes of their stillborn baby when criminals smashed the window of their car, grabbed some of the couple’s belongings, including the box which was in a carrier bag on the back seat of the vehicle. They disappeared into Lusaka.
Speaking to Vukani, Mr Kodzmaoko said the incident happened while other people were watching.
“Everything happened very quick. We were on the traffic lights on the corner of Borcherds Quarry and Klipfontein Roads. Strangely there were cars behind and in front of us,” he said.
“They smashed the car window. While we were still shocked, one grabbed the carrier bag and ran to the informal settlement. There was nothing we could do but to go to police.”
Mr Kodzmaoko urged residents who may have come across the box to come forward.
“We are appealing to whoever has the information to inform Nyanga police.”
He said the family had sleepless nights since the incident. The family wanted to put the ashes in a final resting place. Until the ash was recovered, they would not be able to find closure.Close relative Alex Mutema appealed for help. He said he had never heard of an incident where a person was robbed of human ashes. “Please reunite us with her ashes. We would dearly appreciate it if someone can re-unite us with her. All we want is for her to rest peacefully. We want the kid to be at peace,” he said.
Nyanga police station commander Brigadier Vuyisile Ncata said they had arrested six people in Lusaka on Thursday November 16 in connection with the case but the ashes have not been found. “We appeal to anyone with information to assist the police to locate the ashes so that it can be reunited with the family,” he said.
Call the station on 021 380 3300/3301 or CrimeStop on 08600 10111.