Lesedi Mhlongo was mistakenly left at the Benoni Bunny Park by a bus driver who was transporting children for the Wilson Lebone Christian Creche and Pre-school, situated in Springs.
Maiphephi Seleke, who spoke on behalf of her nephew’s family, said they waited for his return after the trip, but he did not arrive home.
“At around 4pm, his usual arrival time, we began to expect his return but he did not arrive,” said Seleke.
“We waited till 4.30pm and then 5pm, and we thought nothing of it as the transport would be delayed now and again in the afternoon, and since this was a special occasion, it was bound to be late.
“A few minutes past 5pm, Lesedi’s grandmother received an SMS from a family friend inquiring whether the child had returned from the trip, stating that she was listening to Khozi FM and a taxi driver operating from the Benoni area called into the show claiming that there was a young boy who was in a state near the Bunny Park, crying profusely, saying he was lost.”
The family contacted the Benoni SAPS, who had received the child after he was collected at the Bunny Park by members of the Benoni Community Police Forum (CPF).
Seleke said her nephew was safely returned home on Friday evening.
The school’s principal, Alvina Ncunu, said the teacher on the trip counted the children when they walked out of the Benoni Bunny Park.
She said the children were not re-counted when they embarked onto the bus.
She believes Mhlongo went missing between the time the children were counted and when they entered the bus.
Seleke said her nephew has been taken out of the creche.
She said the school trivialised the matter.
