Siphelele Nketo
IN the midst of the disappearance of Lathitha Mtolo (7), who was reported missing last month, another child has been reported missing in the same area.
The child, by the name of Banele Mshubi (3) was reported missing on January 4. Both Banele and Lathitha lived in the Marikana informal settlement, in the small town of Kokstad. To date, they have not yet been found.
According to the police, Banele was reported missing by a concerned community member who was troubled about his whereabouts.
The incident took a sharp turn on February 2 when his parents were both arrested and charged for child neglect and failure to report a missing child.
The couple have since been in police custody.
They appeared in court on March 11 and outcomes of the court were not available at the time of going to print.
Last Sunday, March 15, a prayer service was organised by the Kokstad community to seek divine intervention in the midst of the missing incidents. The incident involving Lathitha, last seen on February 26, brought the community together as many joined search operations on foot around Kokstad. Police spokesperson Mosa Hlaki confirmed the task team of seven members from Visible Policing and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units to find Lathitha and Banele.
Meanwhile a person of interest (33) in connection with Lathitha’s disappearance was apprehended but later released after his case was not enrolled in court due to lack of evidence. In the Post publication in January, four missing people were reported missing in EmaXesibeni (Mount Ayliff), not far from the Kokstad area. The first missing person was Sanele ‘Sanza’ Zibele of Mvalweni who was last seen in May last year, wearing white takkies, jeans and a jacket. Xolile Kangola of Zinkawini was reported missing in November as well as Masomaliti Mpoko of Cabazana who was also last seen in November. Someka Makalima of Nyuswa was reported missing on January 12. Concerns are growing in Kokstad and EmaXesibeni as the numbers of reported missing persons continue to rise.
