SIPHELELE NKETO
COMMUNITY members of Kokstad have demanded justice for Lathitha Mtolo (7), reportedly missing from February 26.
The Grade 2 pupil of Xolo Xolo Primary School left home to play with her peers in the informal settlement of Marikana, but never returned home.
On the day of her disappearance, she returned home from school at around 2pm and went to play.
Her disappearance was noticed at around 7pm when she did not return home, and her family started searching in the neighbourhood.
The search was intensified the following day until it was escalated to social media. Her mother, who has been heartbroken since her daughter disappeared, wished for her safe return, and said that she sleeps with her eyes open.
Neighbour Ntomboxolo Mdingi explained that the community searched rivers and vacant structures without any breakthrough.
A person of interest (33), in connection with the missing child, was apprehended by the police and detained for questioning. He was later charged for kidnapping and human trafficking.
Apparently the case was not enrolled in the Kokstad Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, March 3, when he was due to appear before court.
Police spokesperson Mosa Hlaki confirmed that the man was released. Meanwhile, police continue their investigation and are following any possible leads to arrest the perpetrator and find the child.
The Kokstad police station commander Colonel Ralph Ruiters said that a team has been established to look for the missing child. He said police are exerting their utmost efforts to locate the child, adding that he has established a task team to oversee the case.
“The suspect confessed to the police, implicating three other people, but according to the court, such evidence was not enough, and we have to listen to what the court says,” he explained.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, March 4, Greater Kokstad Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela urged calm and warned against community members taking the law into their own hands.
He encouraged community leaders to instill hope within the community following the disappearance of the child.
