BUSISIWE Mvimbani, who has been looking for her daughter, Happy, since 2022, has finally found closure after the remains that were tested against her DNA proved they were those of her daughter.
She claimed officials from the Butterworth Pathology Services lab had blocked her from viewing a second body, sending her from pillar to post. Mvimbani then turned to social media in a 58-minute emotional video asking for help. The video attracted the attention of Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, who in turn instructed her officials to deal with the matter.
Speaking during a media briefing on February 24, Eastern Cape Department of Health provincial spokesperson, Siyanda Manana, said the DNA results confirmed the identity of Mvimbani’s daughter. “The DNA analysis revealed a positive match between Mvimbani and the body that had been at the Butterworth mortuary, which was reported missing in November 2022. The forensic experts recovered a body at eShinxini, which was recorded as an unknown body on April 25, 2022,” Manana said.
He said the mortuary had 57 bodies at the time and, based on age and gender, they were narrowed down to two females. Manana said DNA samples were taken from the two bodies and Mvimbani on January 13.
“Mvimbani has been attending counselling sessions prior to the release of the results and today was the third session. The official DNA results were collected on February 21, 2025; the body is confirmed to be a 99.9% match with Mvimbani,” he said. After the handover of the DNA results, Manana said that Mvimbani was taken to the mortuary where she confirmed the body.
Speaking outside the mortuary, Mvimbani said she was satisfied with finally getting the results. “As you have seen me crying on social media looking for my child, the results have come back, and I am satisfied. We will take the body to a private mortuary and prepare for her funeral,” Mvimbani said.
