The quiet coastal suburb of Hout Bay has been rocked by tragedy after the decomposed body of a teenage girl, believed to be 17-year-old Amiena Swano, was discovered inside an abandoned house earlier this week. The shocking find has led to the arrest of three suspects and reignited urgent concerns about drug abuse and violence affecting young people in the area.
The body was found on Tuesday night in a small cupboard, barely a metre long, inside a deserted property near Sea View Flats in Hangberg. Police indicated that the remains had been there for some time. Although DNA testing is still pending to formally confirm the victim’s identity, clothing found on the body matched what Amiena was last seen wearing when she disappeared.
Amiena, a Grade 11 pupil at Hout Bay High School, was reported missing after she failed to return home on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026. She had attended a “One Love” rasta concert with friends earlier that evening. Her mother, Salama Swano, said she last saw her daughter walking past their home with friends.
“I was looking through the window and saw them all pass by,” she recalled. “It was getting late, and I couldn’t understand why she hadn’t returned. I thought maybe she wanted to stay out until 11pm, but she was supposed to be home already.”
Days later, her worst fears were realised.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that three suspects — two men aged 36 and 49, and a 59-year-old woman — have been arrested on charges of murder. The trio are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court as investigations continue.
While the arrests have brought some relief to a grieving family, the case has also highlighted deeper social challenges facing the community. Salama Swano has publicly warned about the dangers of Xanax (alprazolam), a prescription anti-anxiety medication increasingly misused by young people. She said her daughter had recently begun experimenting with a mix of Xanax, dagga and cocaine — a combination she described as leaving Amiena in a “zombie-like” state.
According to her mother, the drug use severely impaired Amiena’s awareness and ability to defend herself. “She would talk like she was on morphine. If someone pushed her, she wouldn’t even know what was happening,” Salama said, urging parents to be vigilant.
Drug abuse among teenagers has been a growing concern in the area. In 2025, parents and teachers at Hout Bay High School reportedly called for stronger action to curb the use of dagga and Xanax on school grounds. Community leaders say the latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for intervention programmes, education campaigns and stronger support systems for vulnerable youth.
The case also comes against a broader backdrop of violence in the region. Hangberg and surrounding communities have experienced several violent incidents in recent months, heightening fears about safety.
Nationally, gender-based violence remains a critical concern. During his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Cyril Ramaphosa described GBV as a national crisis, calling for intensified efforts to protect women and children.
As the investigation continues and the community awaits DNA confirmation, authorities have urged the public not to speculate. For Salama Swano, however, the focus is clear: raising awareness so that no other family endures the same heartbreak.
“This situation could happen to anyone,” she said. “What’s happening to our young people?”
