‘We Don’t Have to Wonder Anymore’: Body of Missing Hout Bay Teen Amina Swano Identified

DNA tests have confirmed that a decomposing body found in a box near a block of flats is that of missing Hout Bay teenager Amina Swano

• The 17-year-old Grade 11 pupil was last seen on Valentine’s Day when she left home to attend a nearby music festival
• Three people known to the Swano family have been arrested and charged with her murder

HOUT BAY – The search for missing Grade 11 pupil Amina Swano has ended in tragedy after DNA tests confirmed that a decomposing body found in a box near a block of flats was that of the 17-year-old.

Reports from eNCA indicate that Amina was last seen on Valentine’s Day when she left home to attend a One Love Rasta Party at a nearby music festival. Her family expected her to return later that evening, but she never came home.

For weeks, loved ones searched desperately, holding on to hope that she would still be found alive.

Read also

72-year-old Gogo won 1st princess at Golden Oldies pageant, inspiring community and seniors

Family receives devastating confirmation

That hope faded when a decomposing body was discovered stuffed inside a box near a block of flats. DNA testing has now confirmed that the remains belonged to Amina.

Her mother, Salama, said the confirmation brought painful clarity after weeks of uncertainty.

“At first it was a sigh of relief. Now we don’t have to look anymore. I don’t have to sit and wonder if she is in the morgue or not. I am still hurting a lot,”she said.

Remembered by friends and teachers

Amina’s home has been filled with grieving friends, relatives, and classmates who came to pay their respects.

Her life orientation teacher, Tasneem Marcus, described her as a respectful and intelligent learner with a strong love for books.

“She was a learner who loved to read. If you go into her home, you will see her shelf full of books,” Marcus said.

Read also

SA woman asked how to forgive sister after shocking betrayal

Marcus explained that Amina joined the library when encouraged to do so in Grade 8 and stood out among her classmates.

“She was one of the intelligent girls. She worked hard and could have been one of our top performers in matric.”

Police have arrested three people known to the Swano family. They have been charged with murder.

Social media reacted to the heartbreaking news

@mufasa2030 said:

"There needs to be a change in our system, honestly and how we as men address these things."

@SimandManzini wrote:

"As a parent, this is difficult, but knowing your kids' whereabouts in these times is very important. Keep in contact everytime, the world is dangerous, lingering with wild animals."

@BrendaARoberts remarked:

"Good grief, what is going on in this country! This horror has to stop. RIP ,Amina."

@SthembisoD39724 said:

"This country is a crime scene."

@Mzansipresser commented:

"Cruelty untold."

Articles on missing teens

• Briefly News reported that the body of 17-year-old Thomas Junior Sithole, who disappeared during a trip in the Vaal on 9 January 2026, was found on 12 January.
• Likhona Fose, a 14-year-old girl, was found mutilated and killed in a veld in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, just one day after going missing over the weekend.
• A teenage rugby talent from Italy has died after vanishing in the early hours following a team Christmas gathering, prompting shock across the local sporting community.
• North West police discovered the remains of a 16-year-old girl buried in a shallow grave at Matlhako 2 village in Pudimoe near Taung.
• 16-year-old Mia Kühn’s body was discovered on the Hoërskool Garsfontein school grounds on Tuesday morning, 4 July. There is still a mystery surrounding the death of a Grade 10 learner.

Source: Briefly News