PRAYER and faith is what has kept the Mbutho family strong after their eldest son, Ndumiso Mbutho (9), disappeared last year.
Wednesday, 25 March marks a year since Ndumiso disappeared. He was last seen playing outside his house in the Lindela area in KwaDabeka.
Ndumiso, who is the eldest of five boys, was wearing grey school pants and a T-shirt with green and yellow stripes.
His father, Mdu Mbutho, described Ndumiso as a happy cheerful child who was friendly to everyone despite being deaf. “He enjoyed playing outside and writing,” he said.
Mdu said the past year has been really hard on them, and Ndumiso’s siblings asked where he was often in the few months after he went missing.
“Over these past months, a lot of worrying thoughts have crossed our minds. Ndumiso went missing at a time when child abduction was on the increase, and children were mutilated.”
The incident of a child who was stolen in Tshelimnyama and sold has made us think that that could have happened to him too. Ndumiso could not speak because of his deafness, so it would have been easy for someone to claim him as their own,” said Mbutho.
Mdu said, although it is hard, they keep their trust in God. “We believe in God and that everything happens for a reason,” he said.
Mdu thanked everyone who has supported them through this difficult time. “We have had overwhelming support from all over KZN, and we are truly grateful for all the prayers.”
The Highway Mail tried to get a detailed report from Pinetown SAPS about the investigations, and was told that the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding Ndumiso’s disappearance can contact Pinetown police on 031 325 5041.
