A 19-year-old West Coast College student was found dead near the Olifants River a week after she was reported missing, with police investigating her death as murder.
28 September 2026 | 12:15
CITRUSDAL, WESTERN CAPE — A week after 19-year-old West Coast College student Asemahle “Lilitha” Hanisi was reported missing, the search for her ended in tragedy.
Hanisi was found dead on Sunday, 9 August 2026, in an open field next to the Olifants River in Citrusdal.
Her death has since been investigated as a murder, while her family and friends are left seeking answers about what happened during the period between her disappearance and the discovery of her body.
Reported missing after college event
Hanisi was reported missing at the Citrusdal Police Station on Monday, 3 August.
According to reporting by Weslander, her family said she had attended an event before making plans with friends to go to a tavern.
The family later said Hanisi was seen with an older man whom her friends reportedly did not know.
They allegedly attempted to take her with them, but the man reportedly refused and insisted that Hanisi leave with him.
The family further alleged that the man became aggressive and assaulted Hanisi’s friends when they tried to intervene.
These allegations have not been proven in court, and the circumstances surrounding Hanisi’s final hours remain part of the police investigation. (Nova News)
Body found near the Olifants River
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Hanisi’s body was discovered at about 11am on Sunday, 9 August.
“Her body was discovered at about 11:00 on Sunday, in an open field next to the Olifants River in Citrusdal. She was declared dead at the scene by EMS,” Van Wyk said. (Nova News)
Police opened a murder case.
At the time of the available reporting, no arrests had been made and investigators had not publicly confirmed a suspect.
The precise circumstances that led to Hanisi’s death remain unclear.
West Coast College mourns student
Hanisi was a student at West Coast College’s Citrusdal Campus.
Following her death, the college expressed its condolences to her family, friends, fellow students and members of the campus community.
College spokesperson Ivan Swart said the institution had been informed of the circumstances surrounding Hanisi’s death but could not comment on allegations while the investigation remained ongoing.
“The College will provide its fullest support, within its mandate, to the relevant authorities as they continue with their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Swart said.
The college also said it would cooperate with authorities.
A wider conversation about policing and GBV
Hanisi’s death has also renewed calls for greater attention to the policing of gender-based violence and violence against women.
The argument is that serious investigations cannot depend solely on public pressure or special task teams after a woman has already been killed.
Calls have included properly resourced Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units, manageable detective caseloads, stronger crime intelligence, faster forensic processing and better management of investigation dockets.
There are also calls for threats, stalking, assault and sexual violence to be treated seriously before cases escalate into killings.
These are broader policing and policy concerns rather than findings about Hanisi’s individual case.
The timeline
3 August 2026: Hanisi was reported missing at Citrusdal Police Station.
9 August 2026: Her body was discovered at about 11am in an open field next to the Olifants River. EMS declared her dead at the scene.
After the discovery: Citrusdal police opened a murder investigation. No arrest had been publicly confirmed in the available reporting.
What We Know
- Asemahle “Lilitha” Hanisi was 19 years old.
- She was a student at West Coast College’s Citrusdal Campus.
- She was reported missing on 3 August 2026.
- Her body was found on 9 August near the Olifants River in Citrusdal.
- EMS declared her dead at the scene.
- Police opened a murder case.
- The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
- Family allegations concerning an older unidentified man have been reported but have not been established in court.
The Big Question
What happened to Asemahle “Lilitha” Hanisi after she disappeared — and who, if anyone, was responsible for her death?
That question can only be answered through the evidence gathered by investigators.
What Happens Next
Investigators will need to establish a detailed timeline of Hanisi’s final known movements, identify and interview potential witnesses, examine available forensic evidence and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to identify and charge a suspect.
Any person arrested in connection with the case will remain legally presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
For Hanisi’s family, however, the investigation is about more than a criminal case. It is about understanding what happened to a 19-year-old whose life ended far too soon.
Featured image caption
Asemahle “Lilitha” Hanisi, 19, was found dead in Citrusdal on 9 August 2026, a week after she was reported missing. Police are investigating her death as murder.
Article information
Category: Crime / GBV
Location: Citrusdal, Western Cape
Incident: Death of Asemahle “Lilitha” Hanisi
Investigation: Murder case
Police spokesperson: Captain FC van Wyk
Status: Investigation ongoing; no arrest confirmed in the available reporting.
Legal note
The allegations concerning events before Hanisi’s disappearance are attributed to her family and have not been independently established as fact. Any person who may later be arrested or charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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